AARP to endorse government health care takeover

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 4, 2009 04:31 PM

Update: AARP to make the announcement live on 11/5 at 11:30am Eastern here (just in time to try and upstage the noon press conference/protest by grass-roots conservatives and House Republicans!)

There have been several premature announcements of an AARP Obamacare endorsement over the past several months, but now it’s just about official.

I heard from a source a few days ago that the endorsement was imminent and that it will be published by AARP tomorrow. The Associated Press also says its sources are telling the wire service the same thing.

I’ve been told that the endorsement will argue that senior citizens will actually benefit from the government health care takeover despite a half-trillion-dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid because of the House version’s subsidies for medium-income seniors; elimination of the so-called “donut hole” coverage gap; and anticipated reductions in the cost of medications. The AARP will argue to its members that the massive costs of the public option will not increase the deficit.

[Insert laugh track here.]

There will be no mention in the endorsement of the AARP’s own vested financial interests in Obamacare. And there will certainly be no mention of the membership revolt that AARP’s alliances with the Left have caused.

Good time for a flashback to the Dallas health care forum in August, when an AARP member confronted one of its leaders with one of the questions of the year:

“Do you work for us or do we work for you?”

***

Interesting timing on the endorsement, no? The Obamacare-peddlers know there will be a highly-visible conservative protest on the Capitol Steps tomorrow.

FYI: There is a good alternative to the AARP. Check out the 60-plus Association.

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Posted in: Health care

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Comments


  1. #1
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:34 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    (Aaaarrrpp!) Well excuse me!

  2. #2
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:34 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    one more reason to dump AARP and let them know exactly why!!!

  3. #3
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:36 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    AARP:We decided to not endorse after we decided to, but now we are. Please send in your membership fees. Anymore questions? I didn’t think so.

  4. #4
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:38 pm, malkin_fan said:

    Just how stupid can the AARP get. You would think after watching what happened to the RNC and Dede the “Republican” they would learn something.

    The AARP will do nothing but lose members over this and in the end health care won’t pass.

  5. #5
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:39 pm, Hadenough said:

    Selling Grandma and Grandpa right down the river.

  6. #6
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:48 pm, T-Bone said:

    No ship Sherlock. I guess all those prior statements disassociating themsleves were “You lie!”

  7. #7
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:51 pm, swede said:

    FYI: There is a good alternative to the AARP.

    Arrogance
    Against
    Retired
    People

    Sounds like the GOP – telling their membership to shut up and get in line. Let us know how that goes for ya. 60K AARP memberships cancelled this year. This is organizational suicide. A good thing if this the best they can do for their constituents.

  8. #8
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:53 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    I wonder what kind of deal they got offered.

    Congressman Ted Poe was on the local Christian radio today, and said since Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have the votes for the Marxist option, she will likely add another 100 or 200 pages of amendments, special perks to sweeten the pot for members who oppose Obamacare.

    So it’ll be about a 2200 page bill, with a few hundred pages of pork to win a few key votes.

    BTW, Pelosi represents a district known for daylight gay sex orgies on public streets, she will not lose her House seat for anything. Worst case is she costs her minions 50 seats and she loses the speaker’s gavel. I’m not even sure there is a pay cut with that. Reid could lose his Senate seat, but in a year he can join Dasshole as a highly paid J Street lobbyist.

    I wonder if AARP will get some direct funding under Marxist Medicine…

  9. #9
    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:55 pm, docflash said:

    I started getting my enrollment cards from AARP when I turned 50.At the time I remember thinking that was a little early for me,kind of an insult, and it went in the trash.Looks like I was right all the time.Glad I didn’t waste those years of paying the dues just to cancel them now.

  10. #10
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:03 pm, d1carter said:

    AARP represents no one except AARP.

  11. #11
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm, backwoods conservative said:

    On November 4th, 2009 at 4:38 pm, malkin_fan said:

    Just how stupid can the AARP get. You would think after watching what happened to the RNC and Dede the “Republican” they would learn something.

    That’s just it. Liberals never learn. They don’t learn the lessons of history or the lessons of recent events. I don’t think it’s possible to be teachable and be a liberal at the same time.

  12. #12
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:17 pm, jjmurphy said:

    This freakin’ grab for power by the “elites” just never seems to stop.

  13. #13
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pm, Flyoverman said:

    They could not be that stupid.

    YES THEY CAN!

    The rats are swimming away from the ship while they are climbing on board.

  14. #14
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:28 pm, rplatt said:

    AARP is nothing but a front for union stooges and needs to be watched very closely.

  15. #15
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:34 pm, cheapseat said:

    aarp has always been a socialist organization. they advocate gubmint give our seniors every party favor under the sun. tax breaks, health care, social security bene’s. they just pretend to be nonpartisan to keep those taxpayers donations and subscriptions rolling in so they can continue to do their good works for those nontaxpaying pensioners at 50 plus years of age.

  16. #16
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm, regularguy said:

    This is actually the good news. The bad news is AARP will be chairing the Obama Death Panel.

  17. #17
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “Just how stupid can the AARP get.”

    They would be stupid not too. Any idea how much money AARP stands to make if off a “public option”?

  18. #18
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pm, 24Klady said:

    The Bible/Torah tells us to honor thy mother and father. If you love and honor them, help them cut up those AARP cards. Being AARP free means never having to say I told you so.

    With their ties to this healthcare obamanation they should be investigated right along side of ACORN.

  19. #19
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:44 pm, zorro said:

    Rats, I should taken a photo of AARP’s latest junk mail soliciting for membership! I refused the membership offer and wrote on “payment stub” that they can collect any monies they need from the democrats. Then used the postage paid envelope to send them the message.

  20. #20
    On November 4th, 2009 at 5:46 pm, tarpon said:

    Democrats death-care bill, withdraw health care from granny, granny dies, save money, give money saved to unions and other democrat constituency, Democrats get elected forever.

    Who needs granny anyway …

    This is about as disgusting as it gets to go after old people this way.

    And how does this improve care or lower costs for anyone?

    We are going to make healthcare into the “new government school system” for babysitting regardless of age.

  21. #21
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:04 pm, ClearlyNow said:

    AARP is to concern for seniors what NAACP is to color-blind accomplishment and the ACLU is to free speech. Oxy-morons, each and every one, with empahsis on “moron” if we believe them.

  22. #22
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm, California Red said:

    They are an insurance company aligning with the devil to protect thier own interests. Self serving.

    Same as GM coming out in favor of Cash for CLunkers, or AIG in favor of TARP.

  23. #23
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:13 pm, Romeo13 said:

    Interesting timing…

    Wonder what the NEW payoff is… somthing has got to be buried in that 2000 page monstrosity…

  24. #24
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:19 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    AARP supports cutting Medicare by 500B to cover young and healthy people

  25. #25
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:26 pm, graysonret said:

    Another reason why I dumped my membership in AARP. It’s another organization that started out well, but, over time, fell into politics and power. Now it’s interested only in itself. The heck with seniors, except for their money.

  26. #26
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:30 pm, MacEamonn said:

    “Do you work for us or do we work for you?”

    In the Progressives “Brave New World”, those of us allowed to live will all work for them! :(

  27. #27
    On November 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm, letget said:

    Now people, aarp has the msm on their side to get their message out. I wonder how much $ bho and team is getting from them? It makes me so sad “us olders” have no way to see that these slug slime are doing to US. ALL here, who have us “olders” in the family inform them. Thank you all!
    L

  28. #28
    On November 4th, 2009 at 7:07 pm, publiuswarmac9999 said:

    Those of you who think the government is looking out for your, just read the following:

    Folks: Today my wife came home from the Doctors Office. She brought a note that is staggering in its implications. I repeat the note verbatim below, then will tell you what she was told about supplemental insurance, and will finally tell you about my conversation with Senator Warner’s office.
    ————————————————————–
    IMPORTANT: MEDICARE PATIENTS
    Yesterday, October 21st, the U.S. Senate voted down a bill which would have corrected the flawed “SGR” formula. This mean that Medicare will cut reimbursement to physicians by 21.5% starting January1, 2010.

    Very few, if any, physicians will then be able and willing to continue to see Medicare patients. Unfortunately, this will include our practice here.

    I am very distressed to report that both of the Virginia Senators, Mark Warner and James Webb, cast votes against fixing the problem.

    I would urge you, your friend, relative and neighbors, to telephone both senators as soon as possible to express displeasure with the position that they took, and to explain to them your unhappiness that you will no longer be able to be seen in the office (and probably in most other physicians’ offices also).

    The easiest way to contact a Senator is by using the AMA hotline. Just dial 1-800-833-6354, and follow the simple prompts. This service is free and will connect you directly to the office of the Senator where you can either leave a message or discuss your concerns with one of his aides.

    —————————————————————
    Wife Conversation with Medical Office:

    Wife: We have Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a supplemental. Can’t we just switch that to the primary insurer?
    Response: Unfortunately, Medicare restricts the payments of secondary insurers. Not only would Blue Cross/Blue Shield be affected but most other insurers like Tri-Care. If Medicare says they will pay $19 for a service, then the Blue Cross/Blue Shield would be forced to pay $19.
    Wife: Can we drop out of Medicare?
    Response: Am not sure what is involved.
    —————————————————————
    My Conversation with Warner’s Aide:

    Me: I just received a notice that indicated that Medicare Patients will not be seen by our local doctor. My wife has a serious and potentially life threatening illness.
    Response: I know about this. We have received a lot of calls like this.
    Me: What is going on?
    Response: We are trying to be fiscally conservative.
    Me: Laugh! About the only person who might believe that you are trying to be fiscally conservative is in a crypt somewhere.
    Response: The new reform bill will fix all of this
    Me: You have got to be kidding. You are frightening, angering and now threatening seniors, many of whom have life threatening illnesses. Do you think that they are simply going to sit quietly by while you kill them? I am not threatening you here, but this cannot and will not be allowed.
    Response: ———
    ————————————————————–

    John McEnroe would have said “You can’t be serious!!!!!”. Unfortunately, this is deadly serious. All I can say here is may God help us.

  29. #29
    On November 4th, 2009 at 7:07 pm, ctmom said:

    This is funny. AARP must be desperate to increase their membership. My husband just got a membership kit from them….and he is only 46! The way they present their information kind of leads you to believe that you HAVE to join. Sending it back with the card cut up and an rejection note.

  30. #30
    On November 4th, 2009 at 7:07 pm, Bob69 said:

    I am writing and canceling my AARP membership as I read this. I wonder if I can recoup the balance of my membership fees, good through 2012.?

  31. #31
    On November 4th, 2009 at 7:10 pm, yak_rider said:

    I’ve been told that the endorsement will argue that senior citizens will actually benefit from the government health care takeover despite a half-billion-dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid…

    Actually it’s a half-trillion dollar cut, not a half-billion which would be chump change in our Congress.

  32. #32
    On November 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm, Regulus said:

    It’s no surprise that AARP jumped onto the bandwagon — they were telegraphing that intention mightily with their advertising.

    Although their timing was exquisite — right after voters fired an unmistakable shot across the donkey bow, they decide it’s time to climb on board.

    I have to concur with those who wonder what they got in return.

  33. #33
    On November 4th, 2009 at 8:10 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    Then used the postage paid envelope to send them the message.

    Should have duct-taped the envelope to a cinder block…

  34. #34
    On November 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm, TigerLady said:

    Response: The new reform bill will fix all of this

    This person clearly has their head up their a@@. The new reform bill will take care of seniors but not in the way he/she thinks.
    Wasn’t Sarah Palin ridiculed when she talked about “death panels”?

    It’s unbelievable that they think people are so stupid as to not question The Won.

  35. #35
    On November 4th, 2009 at 8:50 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    publiuswarmac9999

    When millions of seniors get the message, incumbents will be toast.

  36. #36
    On November 4th, 2009 at 9:08 pm, swede said:

    Regulus said:
    I have to concur with those who wonder what they got in return.

    Whatever it is, it will pale in comparison to the membership they will lose. I read 60,000 members have already jumped ship. Look for a mass exodus as this fiasco hits the fan. Seniors are old, but definitely not stupid. They know when they are being sold out.

  37. #37
    On November 4th, 2009 at 9:35 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    But…but…but they have such NEATO wrap around sun glasses! Shouldn’t we join AARP for that?

    No? I thought not…

  38. #38
    On November 4th, 2009 at 9:37 pm, NestingHawk said:

    On the one hand, I hear that they are going to vote on the health care bill on Friday. On the other, I keep hearing things have stalled until next year. I’m confused, and I’d like not to be confused because both of my senators are on the target calling list that I have seen. Is there a “melt-the-phones” kind of a vote going on on Friday, or did they change their minds? Is it just the House on Friday, or both the House and Senate for some reason?

    I don’t think AARP always knows who it is sending to. I got some membership solicitations when I first moved here a few years ago, and I’m not even old enough to run for president.

  39. #39
    On November 4th, 2009 at 9:37 pm, CrazyFool said:

    AARP represents their membership about as much as the Unions represent their membership.

  40. #40
    On November 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm, Azygos said:

    Under Hillary care it was estimated that the five largest insurance companies stood to gain an additional 300 billion in profit.

    Wonder what the figure for AARP stands at today?

  41. #41
    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pm, prendad said:

    AARP has been filling my mailbox for years with hard-sell tactics to influence me to join. They are nothing but a bunch of insurance re-selling con artists who make their profits much like drug pushers do. AARP does not sell AARP insurance. They re-sell other peoples insurance and tack on a nice profit for themselves while shouldering none of the responsibility for the product that they push. They also pitch their sales with flowery add-ons like car rental and hotel room discounts. In reality, these discounts are so small that they are not even worth the effort. I once compared one of their car rental discounts for Hertz and found out that it was a little over $3.00. I got a much larger discount just by joining the Hertz rental club for no charge and getting the members preferred discount. AARP is in business to make money off of senior citizens. They are not in business to care about the welfare of senior citizens and thus, they don’t.

  42. #42
    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:48 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    one more reason to dump AARP and let them know exactly why!!!

    I saw this outfit for what it was decades ago and vowed never to join. As many have already stated, AARP neither cares about nor represents the best interests of seniors. Its just out to get rich off of them.

    Take a look at that palace AARP headquarters is for example. Oh, and it’s not open for view to membership either, from what I understand.

  43. #43
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:28 pm, Valiant said:

    It makes sense they would want to kill off their members.

    Too many fossils taking advantage of discounts.

  44. #44
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Too many fossils taking advantage of discounts.

    That was not very Gallant Valiant.

  45. #45
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:24 am, chapoutier said:

    This reminds me so much of the primaries against Hillary where, when he would lose a primary or have a bad news cycle, he would whip out a major endorsement or a number of super delegates he had been holding in his pocket.

  46. #46
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:26 am, Ron said:

    As a former AARP member, I refused to renew because of their support for government-run health care at all levels (Medicare and Medicaid are obviously government-run now, and deeply in the red). About the only thing I got from AARP was membership on a mailing list and repeated efforts to sell me stuff, particularly their supplemental insurance products. What I haven’t found yet is the exemption they have obtained from Obama in exchange for their support of a truly horrendous piece of legislation. I’m sure its in there. Fortunately for me, I’m still working and I’m still covered on my employer’s health plan. If I switched to Medicare with whatever supplemental, I’m sure I’d be toast.

  47. #47
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:38 am, jangar said:

    Like true-blue liberals, AARP won’t listen to those whom it serves. to conclude, they consider us to be their servants, and not the other way around. Just another big government tool to lobby itself and lie to the public.

  48. #48
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:40 am, jangar said:

    Slightly O/T (and redundant):

    MSN page headline: Obama Shifts Focus To Healthcare

  49. #49
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am, jangar said:

    Take a look at that palace AARP headquarters is for example. Oh, and it’s not open for view to membership either, from what I understand.

    The forbidden palace, where backroom deals are cut in smoke-filled rooms.

  50. #50
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:48 am, DirkDiggler said:

    The AARP was originally founded by Prudential.

    Its the greatest insurance-selling scam in world history.

    All Obama had to do to buy their support was threaten the Medicare Advantage private-insurer/medicare plans, strengthening the AARP’s ability to sell more medicare supplements.

    AARP isn’t selling out seniors. Its doing what it was always designed to do: sell insurance.

  51. #51
    On November 5th, 2009 at 8:52 am, rplatt said:

    AARP is an extension of the unions and nothing but a left wing propaganda element. People should drop that worthless organization as quickly as possible.

  52. #52
    On November 5th, 2009 at 9:12 am, malkin_fan said:

    LOL, This is like watching people complaining they STILL want to get on the Titanic

    AFTER

    it hit the iceberg.

    What morons.

  53. #53
    On November 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am, MarkD said:

    My freedom is not for sale. My freedom is not for sale for some discounts or cheap insurance.

    I send back the invitations in their postage paid envelopes. It costs me nothing to let them know how I feel.

  54. #54
    On November 5th, 2009 at 10:06 am, Dimsdale said:

    AARP has become as useless as a big union, which is effectively what they consider themselves.

  55. #55
    On November 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am, cheapseat said:

    ot; the story the main stream media won’t tell you about flotus;

    http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12652

    sorry, i don’t know how to link, but this will tell you how we can have a 2 trillion dollar jump in deficit spending in one year by this clown and his wife. great read for all those laid off workers grom gubmint motors.

  56. #56
    On November 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am, Yashmak said:

    Last time AARP endorsed health care reform, against the wishes of the majority of its membership, the results weren’t pretty for AARP.

  57. #57
    On November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Check out the 60-plus Association.

    Are there any members out there? Do you have to be “60-plus” to join?

  58. #58
    On November 5th, 2009 at 10:30 am, rplatt said:

    ARRP want to continue selling insurance so they made a deal with the devil. Go to hell AARP.

  59. #59
    On November 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am, orlandocajun said:

    The perfect scenario would be for the Health Care Bill and AARP to collapse simultaneously.

  60. #60
    On November 5th, 2009 at 11:40 am, les said:

    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pm, prendad said:
    They are nothing but a bunch of insurance re-selling con artists who make their profits much like drug pushers do. AARP does not sell AARP insurance. They re-sell other peoples insurance and tack on a nice profit for themselves while shouldering none of the responsibility for the product that they push. They also pitch their sales with flowery add-ons like car rental and hotel room discounts. In reality, these discounts are so small that they are not even worth the effort.

    I’ve had the exact opposite experience. A few years ago I had the AARP insurance partner quote my home insurance. I wound up switching to their insurance from my local “good hands” agent, saving over $700 a year for the same coverage. Also for anyone who travels often, if you show your AARP card when checking into a hotel, they will routinely knock $10 to $20 bucks off the nightly rate.

  61. #61
    On November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, John Deaux said:

    Apparently, freedom does have a price. To les, it’s worth about $700/year and $10-$20 per night.

  62. #62
    On November 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, DBNinKY said:

    AARP does not sell AARP insurance.

    Are you sure? I admit I’ve dine no research on it yet, but it’s my understanding that they own a controlling interest in a Medi-gap company.

  63. #63
    On November 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pm, DBNinKY said:

    dine=done

  64. #64
    On November 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pm, davidcaskey said:

    AARP sells United Healthcare, this is a gap insurance for medicare. It is one of the worst of the insurance companies. The deal is that the federal government would drop medicare advantage, a program that actually works. This would allow AARP and United Healthcare to step in as the principal seller of medigap. I have seen little benefit from AARP. They are in essence insurance brokers. They might give you a deal, but have you cashed in on the insurance? I know from my experience with United Healthcare that they rarely pay.

  65. #65
    On November 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, prendad said:

    if you show your AARP card when checking into a hotel, they will routinely knock $10 to $20 bucks off the nightly rate.

    When I travel I can get the same $10 to $20 and even more off my hotel bill by showing a Hertz, Avis, Enterprise etc. ID card, an NRA ID card, a retired military ID card, an AAA ID card, and I could go on and on. The point is, you can get these discounts for less and often for nothing. The same for insurance. There are much better deals with much better overall coverage available other than AARP. I know. I looked and found them.

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