Archive for Thursday, November 5, 2009
AARP reportedly to support Democrats’ health care overhaul
November 5, 2009
Advertisement
Washington — In a coup for House Democrats, AARP will endorse sweeping health care overhaul legislation headed for a history-making floor vote, officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
An endorsement from the seniors’ lobby was critical when then-President George W. Bush pushed the Medicare prescription drug benefit through a closely divided Congress in 2003. House Democratic leaders are hoping it will work the same political magic for them as they strive to deliver on President Barack Obama’s signature issue.
An announcement from the 40-million member group is expected today, said officials with knowledge of the group’s decision. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the endorsement is not official yet.
Backing the 10-year, $1.2 trillion House bill is a tricky move for AARP. Many retirees are concerned about cuts in Medicare payments to medical providers, which will be used to finance an expansion of health insurance coverage to millions of working families who now lack it. Also, AARP says its membership is about evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans and independents, meaning its endorsement in today’s highly politicized atmosphere could anger many members.
Floor votes on the House bill could come as early as this weekend. Asked Wednesday if Democratic leaders had the 218 needed for passage, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., responded: “We’re counting. We’re counting.”
House leaders moved on Wednesday to shore up support for the measure among the Democratic rank-and-file, even as they sharpened their fight with the health insurance industry.
More like this
- Democrats try to sell seniors on health plan 5 comments / September 24, 2009
- AARP endorses Medicare measure November 18, 2003
- AARP POSITION ON HEALTH CARE WEIGHED LOCALLY August 11, 1994
- On health care, lawmakers beware wrath of seniors 1 comment / September 27, 2009
- Health bill inches forward 1 comment / July 31, 2009
Top ads RSS
- On the street: What is the touchiest subject between you and your in-laws? November 23, 2009 · 36 comments
- Blog: Song Titles And Lyrics: All About Giving Thanks November 23, 2009 · 55 comments
- Texas Tech's Leach calls Mangino investigation 'witch hunt' November 23, 2009 · 9 comments
- Dennis Moore won't seek re-election in 2010 November 23, 2009 · 45 comments
- Blog: Oprah And Palin - Role Swapping? November 23, 2009 · 16 comments
- Blog: Through Rose-Colored Glasses November 23, 2009 · 2 comments
- Analyst: Tax cuts rob many to pay few November 23, 2009 · 28 comments
- Blog: Stripper Blog: Saturday Night At The East Lawrence Ballet November 23, 2009 · 19 comments
- Blog: When Do You Hang Your Christmas Lights? November 23, 2009 · 13 comments
- Last resort November 23, 2009 · 9 comments
- Dennis Moore won't seek re-election in 2010 November 23, 2009
- Shining seas November 23, 2009
- Bison tours offered at Tallgrass preserve November 23, 2009
- More information on high school reconfiguration sought October 27, 2009
- Lawrence native a Rhodes Scholar November 23, 2009
- Probe timing curious November 23, 2009
- Studies redefine concept of alcoholism November 23, 2009
- LMH reveals makeup of work force November 23, 2009
- Reported rapes hit six-year high November 23, 2009
- Regents fear more cuts mean tuition increases November 23, 2009
5 November 2009
at 9:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
“Many retirees are concerned about cuts in Medicare payments to medical providers…”
But don't worry. This won't translate into poorer patient service, fewer doctors taking Medicare patients or higher co-pays. Yeah right.
What it will mean is more retirees will need to buy supplemental insurance from AARP subsidiaries to cover these cuts to Medicare. This translates into a huge payday for the AARP and a metaphoric stick in the eye to the AARP's membership.
5 November 2009
at 9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ComradeRedRooster (Anonymous) says…
AARP is signing up for its own assisted suicide.
5 November 2009
at 9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
scott3460 (Anonymous) says…
That the country's largest senior advocacy group thinks this is a good thing for their membership is telling.
Those wwho think this support will sow the seeds of destruction for the organization are engaged in wishful thinking. An organization this large and sophisticated has obviously looked at this legislation and determined that it is beneficial to their membership. That may prove to be an erroneous conclusion, but at this moment, it is incredibly telling. All the propaganda of the insurance comparies and their congressional tools notwithstanding, healthcare reform legislation is thought to be a benefit to the nation's seniors. This endorsement will only strengthen the chances for passage.
5 November 2009
at 10:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
No, scott, it's a benefit to the bottom line of AARP executives, their insurance company buddies and “their congressional tools,” to use your colorful term.
5 November 2009
at 11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
kubacker (Anonymous) says…
Those morons who run AARP have put the gun to their heads and pulled the trigger, plus its a certainty Obama will throw all of them under the bus after the Obamacare vote, when those 40 million seniors go wild in the streets and at the polls.
The political bloodbath the Democrats suffered last Tuesday is going to look like a picnic in the park compared to the slaughter they, and any Republican who votes for Obamacare, will be taking in the 2010 elections.
When its all said and done all the senior officials from ARRP will be “working” for John Podesta, along with Van Jones, and ARRP won't exist within 3 years, which is the amount of time it will take for all the seniors with an AARP Medicare Supplement and/or auto insurance plans to get signed up with a new carrier(s) and drop their membership in AARP forever.
5 November 2009
at 11:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
jmadison (Anonymous) says…
The Healthcare bill effectively kills the Medicare Advantage program. The AARP does not have that particular insurance plan in their offerings, and would benefit from the insurance premiums that seniors would pay into Medigap coverage to replace their Medicare Advantage plan.
The AARP is basically an insurance and travel company, not an advocacy group for older Americans.
5 November 2009
at 11:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Godot (Anonymous) says…
AARP is not a senior advocacy group, it is a highly connected insurance brokerage and marketing firm. No doubt they have made a deal with Obama to be the only “free market” enroller for the public option for medicare, who knows, maybe for everyone.
If you are an AARP member, and you think they are representing you, you are sorely mistaken. They are using your “membership” dues to buy access to Congress to line their pockets.
5 November 2009
at 12:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
really blessed? many boomers are some of the most conservative folks i know— i'd think you'd want to make inroads w/ them.
they are also some of the hardest working people i know. i am a gen Xer and we are supposedly lazy, apathetic people— think whatcha want about us, we actually don't care. but the boomers? they're reputation preceeds them and they have one helluva rep for having strong work ethics, being frugal, saving to the point of hoarding and being prepared for life's slings and arrows. i don't agree w/ your opinion of them at all.
5 November 2009
at 12:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Godot (Anonymous) says…
Obama is demagoguing on TV right now about this. “AARP is a non-partisan organization.” LOL!!!
5 November 2009
at 12:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
tbaker (Anonymous) says…
…which is why I sent them a letter telling them to remove me from their incessant mailings / membership offers. AARP doesn't care about people over 50. They care about making themselves money by advocating government programs that will be profitable for them, regardless of what that may do to the country. They're parasites. They're part of the health care problem.
5 November 2009
at 12:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Godot (Anonymous) says…
He described AARP as “an organization charged with looking out for the welfare of seniors.” OMG. Yeah, it is, just like Goldman Sachs is an organization charged with looking out for the welfare of small, retail investors.
5 November 2009
at 12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
9070811 (Anonymous) says…
Go old people!
I would get this has to do with thousands of dollars they have to spend on meds, appointments, routine treatments, tests, surgeries and end of life care.
Or that some elderly can't afford to retire because of budget stressing health issues.
“You can judge a society by how they treat their elderly.”
5 November 2009
at 2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
“You can judge a society by how they treat their elderly.” - 9070811
You erroneously equate society with govenment. Neither one is the other, and as long as some people insist that government embody every social utopian whim of the various special interest groups, we're all going to become more broke and less free.
5 November 2009
at 2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
Wonder who got paid off?
5 November 2009
at 2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Of course AARP will support any plan that includes the insurance industry. They too are part of the insurance industry and have made big bucks.
5 November 2009
at 2:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Here's the deal. National Health Insurance is not a free ride and never will be perhaps with few exceptions.
You see my tax dollars will pay for my portion therefore no one else would be paying for MY National Health Insurance coverage.
However if you listen to the republican party NOT and Max Baucus you would be led to believe that my tax dollars are not my tax dollars. How can that be?
The fact that National Health Insurance would come from the rather substantial tax dollar cookie jars simply means that no monthly or weekly deductions would come out of my pay check per se..
Since federal, state, and local governments collect trillions in taxes of all kinds—income, sales, property, corporate etc etc this is how medical bills would be paid as it is now.
You see as we speak the government tax dollars support medical insurance payments to the tune of at least $1.2 trillion which is quite a gravy train I'd say. Next year this will increase by changing nothing and not passing the National Health Insurance Act.
In essence MY tax dollar amount to pay MY portion of National Health Insurance would be about $2700 annually for the entire family.
What coverage would this buy the family:
*long term care such that cancer demands
*prescription drugs
* hospital
* surgical
* outpatient services
* primary and preventive care
* emergency services
* dental
* mental health
* home health
* physical therapy
* rehabilitation (including for substance abuse)
* vision care
* hearing services including hearing aids
* chiropractic
* durable medical equipment
* palliative care
A good deal that would free up more expendable cash to be spent elsewhere thus creating new jobs. Things like birthdays,christmas,home improvements,taking better care of my lover and investments would benefit
5 November 2009
at 4:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
I've copied and pasted below all of what merrill posted that I've read. Here it is:
5 November 2009
at 6:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
scott3460 (Anonymous) says…
” They care about making themselves money by advocating government programs that will be profitable for them, regardless of what that may do to the country.”
Sounds like the pay or die insurance industry to me, tbaker.
Anyway, AARP is a non-profit organization. If they can provide medical insurance in a more cost effective manner, I say more power to them.