In the AARP September Advocate Newsletter. 1) AAPR has launched a new photo petition to remind Congress why older Americans need reform, they even offer a file to down load and you can take a photo of yourself holding a “support” card 2) They introduced yet another new way for you to take action and get the latest breaking news on our Health Action Now campaign – from your cell phone! 3) They are asking for more money which is needed to help them fight for health care reform 4) links to all their new TV, radio, and print advertisements to promote health care reform, 5) and a link to their web site http://www.healthactionnow.org/where you can learn all about the MYTHS and learn the TRUTH.
With AARP’s continuation of it’s promotion of Health Care Reform, they seem to be unaffected by the Baucus Gag Order. There is no apparent need for them “to immediately discontinue all such mailings to beneficiaries and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your Web sites.” Either AARP didn’t receive this letter or since AARP pretty much supports the provisions in the Health Care bill that apply to Medicare/Medicare Advantage cuts, it simply doesn’t apply to them.
It is noteworthy that AARP was outspoken and took a strong position against Medicare’s enactment in 1965. Speculation was, their lack of support was due to their financial ties with Colonial Pen insurance company. In todays climate, it may appear that AARP is now a strong supporter of Health Care Reform due to their financial ties to the health insurance industry. In fact, a study by Harvard Medical School indicates just how much AARP stands to gain.
It estimates that companies with AARP contracts will likely get 10 percent of the new insurance market. With its royalty rate of 3.9 percent of premiums collected, AARP could receive $1.56 billion in additional royalties over the next decade.
Not only does AARP generate income from the sale of medigap policies, they also sell their membership lists and advertising space in its magazines to pharmaceutical and health insurance companies. Does any one find it curious that the liberals have demonized the insurance companies, yet they sing the praises of AARP?
Something is fundamentally wrong when the Federal Government steps in to limit freedom of speech and access of information to Senior Citizens, who are left to rely only on AARP provided information which supports the governments positions on how Seniors will be affected if this Health Care Reform Bill passes. Why do they not want us to hear opposing opinions, information or to even to know what the Congressional Budget Office projects the losses of benefits now provided by Medicare Advantage plans that are currently held by over 10 million Seniors? Has AARP and the Obama Administration made an agreement, behind closed doors? Has AARP become the “ONLY” government approved speaker for the best interest of Seniors?
You may be asking “what does this have to do with AARP having a financial conflict of interest”, which by the way isn’t the first time this question has been asked nor is this the first time people have questioned AARP’s Non-Profit status. I will continue to go into more detail about AARP in Part II and Part III. For a little more background you may want to watch the below video where Senator McConnell addresses: ” End Federal Gag Order on Medicare Cuts”
Join the New "Our GOP Senior Citizens Group"
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This was a very well researched and thoughtful piece.
I did not know lots of the things about AARP that you brought to light. I learned a lot from reading this blog!
I too hope that this information can be brought more into the light of day.
Good job Sandy!
Follow the money. This is just another example of how far reaching the Obama administrations “spread the wealth” campaign is. This is nothing short of defrauding our senior ctizens at a time when they are most in need. We should not allow this crooked organization (not unlike acorn) to destroy those that cannot defend themselves. Remember, one day you will be a senior citizen to. God willing.
The more we look at things, the more crooked it gets. AARP does not need the seniors – we are (were) a front for them along with easy money. In addition to trying to get ready for surgery tomorrow, I had a death in the family and had to travel to North Carolina. When making a hotel reservation, I asked if the hotel gave a discount for AAA or AARP ( I had canceled my membership, but my husband is letting his lapse) I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised when the Marriott desk clerk answered “they did not give discounts to those organizations but if we produced identification showing we were seniors, we would receive a discount. The reason (given to me) AARP has dropped the age to 50, we don’t really consider that a senior. I was given a nice discount just by showing my drivers license.
AARP dropping the age is just giving them a larger group to appeal to for membership money, and, if more companies adapted Marriott’s outlook, that could hurt AARP membership or their play money as I call it. Don’t forget, when AARP sends you mail with a prepaid envelope, cut everything up they sent you, put it back in the prepaid envelope they furnished and mail it back to them. They have to pay that postage. One way or the other, we will get their attention. I am convinced they are tied in with ACORN, can’t prove it, but they are tied in with SEIU and SEIU and ACORN are certainly in bed together, it only stands to reason AARP is in it up to their necks with those two. So instead of twins – ACORN and SEIU, we now have triplets – ACORN, SEIU and AARP.