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Dear Steve, The House votes this week on a final health reform bill! The bill contains a number of critical components that AARP fought hard for to ensure it improves the health of our members and their families. Click here to ask your representative to support the bill. Over the last several months, AARP has fought hard for crucial components of health reform that will improve the health and lives of our members and their families. The House of Representatives will vote on a final bill this week that includes key priorities for older Americans. That's why we've chosen to support the legislation about to be voted on by the House – the Affordable Health Care for America Act. We believe it protects and strengthens Medicare, and ensures that your care will never take a back seat to insurance companies' profits. I’ll be the first to admit that the bill isn't perfect. But there are so many provisions that would make our broken system work better for older Americans, critical components that AARP fought hard for, such as:
We know that critics and special interests will try to derail this legislation. They will probably even attack AARP for supporting this bill. From my perspective, I couldn't be prouder of the work I see AARP staff putting in to analyze legislation, advocate on your behalf, and constantly evaluate ways to help improve the health of older Americans. But this isn't and shouldn't be about us. This moment is about reform that improves the health and lives of our members and their families. And, in the end, it won't be the words of the television talking heads or the newspapers – or even AARP – that will ring in your member of Congress' head when it's time to vote tomorrow. It will be YOURS. Sincerely, Barry Jackson AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50 and over. |
After months of denying support for Obamacare and spinning their position, AARP has formally endorsed Obamacare – one of the most detrimental and damaging pieces of legislation in American history.
It is now time to cancel your memberships and demand that AARP’s tax exemption be revoked for playing partisan politics.
Just consider the outright lies contained in the AARP announcement …
- Ensuring seniors' access to doctors so they can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one;
If your doctor is not affiliated with a particular insurance company and/or medical group … you are our of luck. If the formula does not allow you to receive advanced diagnostic tests – oh well!
- Preventing insurance companies from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their health or their age;
Affordable coverage is an oxymoron which cannot be guaranteed.
- Saving seniors from having to pay thousands in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs by closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or "doughnut hole"; and
Are these “generic” drugs or will your plan actually cover such common drugs such as Lipitor?
- Ensuring that people who already have coverage through their employers, including retirees, don’t lose that coverage.
If your employer decided to reduce your insurance benefits or take advantage of an Obamacare “exchange,” you are out of luck.
According to the Wall Street Journal …
AARP Endorses House Health-Care Overhaul Bill
“’The world's largest senior lobby, AARP, on Thursday endorsed the health-care bill pending in the U.S. House, saying it improves benefits for seniors and ensures they will get ‘the doctors they need when they need them.’"
Why are they lying: the self-interest of AARP’s executives and institutional profits?
We have been told that the Obama Administration plans to fund a portion of Obamacare by cutting $500 billion in the Medicare Advantage Program. AARP would benefit because they do not sell Medicare Advantage programs, but they do sell Medi-Gap insurance policies which would be required to provide additional coverage for seniors.
Is the political ambition of AARP President Barry Rand more important than the health and welfare for AARP membership?
AARP was born as a vehicle to sell insurance to seniors and it appears that their “for-profit” activities outweighs the needs of their “non-profit” members.
AARP can no longer serve as an honest broker for those seniors who have, as yet, not cancelled their membership.
“AARP's endorsement marks the first time the lobby has put its weight behind a comprehensive health-care overhaul bill. The House is expected to vote on the bill as soon as Saturday.”
“AARP Chief Executive Barry Rand, speaking while surrounded by more than 50 boxes that include 1.5 million AARP member petitions supporting health-care reform, according to AARP, praised the legislation for placing strict limits on how much more insurance companies can charge seniors based on age and closing the Medicare prescription drug gap.”
Perhaps, the members could force a special election that would decide whether or not AARP speaks for them in their acceptance and promotion of Obamacare and whether or not Barry Rand should be fired for malfeasance.
“The health care legislation has sparked controversy among AARP members, some who have left or threaten to leave because of their concerns over the pending bill. Rand, when asked directly about how many AARP members had left or would leave, said even when AARP members do leave the often come back. He cited how in 2003 AARP lost members who disagreed with the organization's unwillingness to support of privatizing Social Security. He said many rejoined the group.”
Can anyone in their right mind, claim that Obamacare will not add to the national debt and that the costs will balloon to cataclysmic levels which may bankrupt the United States?
“Bonnie Cramer, chair of AARP's volunteer advisory board, said one key criteria for supporting the House bill was that it isn't supposed to add to the national debt. "Our members are worried about the financial security for their children and grandchildren," she said.”
Endorsing a bill which they do not know or understand …
“John Rother, executive vice president of policy at AARP, said the group would like to see a final Senate version of the bill, which is yet to happen, include provisions to close the Medicare prescription drug gap, often called the doughnut hole, and ensure insurance companies don't discriminate against members based on their age.”
Obamacare has already struck deals with the special interests: including the insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the medical equipment industry and AMA regarding reimbursement rates.
“The final House bill and draft Senate bills include language that would give biotechnology companies 12 years of exclusivity to sell their drugs before facing competition from cheaper, generic alternatives. Rother said that number was excessive and thinks seven years of exclusivity for brand-name drugs is more appropriate. The White House has told Congress it thinks seven years strikes the right balance between innovation and gives patients access to cheap generics.”
“AARP also endorses a bill in the House that would prevent the pending 21.5% cut in reimbursement rates for doctors who see Medicare patients. Cramer said members "strongly" oppose cutting these reimbursement rates, as it is already difficult for Medicare patients to find doctors who will treat them.”
AARP cannot insure against natural law …
There is no way to suspend the law of supply and demand. Obamacare greatly increases patient demand and does little or nothing to increase the number of physicians, nurses, medical facilities, diagnostic equipment, life-sustaining medical equipment and other necessities. Costs will rise and patients will face denials, rationing and waits for medical treatment which may contribute to their deaths. Read some of the reference links to see for yourself what rationing may mean.
Bottom line …
AARP seems to be as corrupt and complacent as the Obama Administration. They appear to have sold out their membership for institutional profits and the personal benefits which may accrue to their executive leadership.
For all of those who commented that AARP was not promoting Obamacare, they were promoting healthcare insurance reform – you have now reaped what you have sown and should this legislation pass, the United States will become a far different place – possibly with a reduction in the number of senior citizens due to the denial or restriction of medical care. You are all complicit in this tragedy.
-- steve
Reference Links:
AARP Endorses House Health-Care Overhaul Bill - WSJ.com
AARP: MISLEADING COMMERCIAL DEMONIZES SPECIAL INTERESTS – LIKE AARP THEMSELVES!
Is AARP playing racial and social politics at their member's expense?
IS AARP SELLING OUT ITS SENIOR CITIZEN MEMBERS? ANOTHER BIDEN GAFFE!
Proof that Obama's healthcare initiative is about political power and control ...
Healthcare: Obama's Happy Talk is empty rhetoric ...
OBAMA STIMULUS: COMPROMISING YOUR HEALTH RECORDS FOR POLITICS AND PROFITS
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