A news release from the WA state AARP group, dated November 16, 2009, reports that members across party and ideological lines, support health care reform legislation.
How would you answer this survery? Can a conclusion from the survey results clearly show that AARP members support AARP’s stand on health care reform? You can determine for yourself by reading their survey: “AARP Washginton State Survey on the Health Care Reform in the House of Representatives”.
According to Jason Erskin, representative from WA state AARP, “membership in our state is approximately 935,000 and close to 48% of our senior population have AARP memberships:.
Mr. Erskin notes in the press release:
“AARP Washington surveyed its members from October 30 to November 8, 2009 on key health care reform provisions supported by AARP, as well as other contentious issues being discussed in the debate. The survey of 423 members is representative of AARP members in the state of Washington and has a margin of error of +/- 4.8%”.
The full text of the press release from Jason Erskin can be found on the AARP website http://www.aarp.org/community/AARPWA/journals/Survey_finds_Washington_s/2234602.
During a phone interview on November 25th, I asked Mr. Erskin if the selection of survey members were broken down by area. According to Erskin, telephone survey calls were not geographical but chosen by random selection. He stated that the results of the poll is representative of WA states AARP membership.
And now for the rest of the story …
The survery was conducted between Octoer 30th to November 8, 2009 with a total of 423 members surveyed. There is a margin of error of +/- 4.8%. With that in mind, according to the 2008 US Census http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53000.html :
- Total estimated population in Washington state is 6,549,224
- Persons 65 years old and over, percent for 2008 represents 12.0% total population
- 12% is approximately 78,506 people over age 65
After the results of the AARP poll was published on November 16th, the latest Rasmussen poll from November 23rd was released. Rasmussen shows that amongst the nation’s senior citizens there has been a drop in support of health care reform. Stastics have shifted with 34% in favor of the health care plan and 60% opposed.
There is still a great deal of controversy between senior citizens on their support of the health care reform. If you would like to participate by expressing your opinions about these issues, consider joining the AARP Forums. You will find 36 discussion groups on Insurance and Medicare, you can find a listing of groups here: http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/searchGroups.bt?categoryId=35 . Categories range from Medicare Part D , Medicare for all, Against Government Health care, Medicare Advantage and Healthcare Myths.
Before you can join a group, you need to register in order to subscribe to newsletters, comment on articles or participate in any of the discussion groups.To register:https://login.aarp.org/community/loginform.bt
Join the New "Our GOP Senior Citizens Group"
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
AARP’s Barry Jackson sent a form letter today.Did you read it? If so do you think now, they know they were betrayed? Didnt I write about this? The best is yet to come. O h excuse me I meant the worst. I was thinking of my promise to rub it in their faces over and over again until their gone. By the hands of SEIU and their good buddy in the white house.
Chuck
You can lead the horse to water, but you cant make him drink.
Perhaps we should start a pettion to see how many seniors are Not in support of this bill. We could send it to AARP, Obama, and Bill O’reilly.
It’s really interesting to read the poll. It is so slanted that it is almost guaranteed to get the results that AARP wants. Plus I just don’t see how it is possible for 423 people to be representative of what almost a million seniors support.