Dec 1, 2009

AARP has been a strong advocate for health care reform for over 50 years—ever since our founder discovered a fellow retired teacher living in a chicken coop, eking out an existence on a meager pension, with no health care and no access to health care.

From that moment, AARP has fought for health care reform and health security for all of its members. This fall, we endorsed the House Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, because it advances these goals. And with its passage in the House, we are closer to achieving real health care reform than we have ever been.

We must now turn our attention to the Senate, and then to the conference committee, to ensure that the measures we supported in the House plan end up in the bill that goes to the president to sign.

The plan approved by the House includes comprehensive health care reform. It expands and protects benefits in the traditional Medicare program and ensures that people under age 65 will have affordable health care.

It also ensures that health decisions are made by a patient and his or her doctor, not by an insurance company, and not by the government. And it protects the right of all Americans to see the doctor of their choice.

The House plan achieves many of the goals we have been focused on since we began our latest fight for health care reform more than two years ago:

It protects and strengthens Medicare.
It provides affordable coverage for people under 65.
And it begins to improve long-term care services and support.
We have read and studied the House bill, and we are confident that it meets our priorities. Let me be specific.

First, protect and strengthen Medicare. Older people today and tomorrow must have the health coverage they need, and be able to afford it.

This bill provides immediate relief and completely closes the infamous Part D “doughnut hole” by 2019, lowering costs for millions of seniors in Medicare. It also allows the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.

Prescription drugs help keep people out of hospitals, out of emergency rooms and out of doctors’ offices. They give people hope and in many cases save lives. But they cannot do any of those things if they are unaffordable. Getting the prescription drugs you need should be based on your doctor’s orders—not on the condition of your bank account.

The House plan also aggressively cracks down on waste and fraud in Medicare. Those savings strengthen the Medicare trust fund and make Medicare a better program for those who rely on it.

The House bill contains provisions to stop overbilling, cut unnecessary paperwork and unnecessary tests, and focus on the quality of the care provided—not the number of treatments. And the measure adds free preventive services, such as screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.

http://bulletin.aarp.org/opinions/wherewestand/articles/where_we_
stand_why_aarp_endorsed_the_house_health_care_bill.html

You'd think this would quiet down some of the Re publican's efforts at misrepresenting the facts.

You'd think, but I'll bet it wont.

I wonder how they'll excuse this away.
Old People want to hurt their own cause?

How about the fact that AARP provides insurance to cover what medicare doesn't? HMMMM... I guess making money isn't a priority... HAHA

And there it is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

So are you saying AARP doesn't pimp supplemental insurance for medicare recipients?

http://mingle2.com/topic/show/258070

https://www.aarphealthcare.com/products/medsup/screen.aspx?ReturnUrl=/products/medsup/requestinformation.aspx

Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.

AARP has grown to 40 million members and has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As the nation’s largest membership organization for people 50+, AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50.

Vision, Mission, Motto

For more than 50 years, AARP has been serving its members and creating positive social change.

AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.

We believe strongly in the principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and collective purchasing power, and these principles guide all organization efforts.

AARP works tirelessly to fulfill its vision: a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.

AARP speaks with one voice – united by a common motto: “To serve, not be served.”

http://www.aarp.org/aarp/About_AARP/

Like Hussein, AARP can print or say what they like. Doesn't make it the truth.

Now, is the time to start calling your Senators and let them know you oppose the Health care bill as it is.
Guarantee, no public option, no paid abortions, no,ABSOLUTELY no Illegals to be covered and anything else you wish taken out.

Weigh the pros and cons of Gov managed Health Care.

A great scale is Make two lists. On one side, list all the things Gov. has created that has helped America, Americans and American Workers.

On the other side, write down all the failed attempts at managing our lives that have failed or was aimed at screwing us.

Whichever is the longer list might reflect on what you tell your Senator.

Unintended consequences - what will they be???

no one really knows what kind of monster that 1/2 of trillion cuts in medicare will create....the cuts are "unspecified"

$500 billion in new taxes sure isn't going to help those that may be in a position to provide a job think about adding one

everything always goes up....premiums of those that already have insurance will go up...I expect insurers are hedging right now even on this year's (2010) increases because they know what's coming

Rationing reared it's head with the mammogram controversy already and the bill hasn't even passed

The Advisory Committee (involved in the controversy) gets power

The bill increases the deficit enormously....as with all government run programs (don't be fooled into thinking this one will be different)

Forces a person to buy health insurance


A better bill would

Tackle the fraud in medicare specifically

End abusive lawsuits

Allow health insurance to be bought across state lines

address cost and cost containment issues specifically

Put some value on personal responsibility


Besides AARP will benefit financially from the passage of the bill, which includes $500 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Seniors will have to purchase “Medigap” coverage -a highly regulated private insurance that fills in holes in Medicare coverage. United Health Group offers Medigap coverage branded with the AARP logo, on which AARP collects royalties.

Most of aarp employees are not seniors....maybe they are more worried about there jobs than the health of seniors.

Don't forget that many many business kick back in return for business... Oh yeah its done in the 'shadows' but ya'll know it to be true.

from meds to chairs and all easy access bathtubs in between...
Hearing aid manufactures, alarm companies, adult pullups, all seek or get indorsement... you think that indorsement is FREE..?

Shadows are hard to find these days.

Not on Capital Hill. There, it's wide open and in yo' face. It shows on how the votes go. Some hold out for mo' money. If they don't get it, they vote in behalf of the people.