ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Results tagged “Congress” from ShAARP Session

Aug '09 17

Barry Jackson | 9:19 AM | 22 Comments

I saw these two articles promoted on the "Moderate Voice" and thought I'd share them. Both give great overviews of the state of the health reform debate. I'd highly recommend them for people looking for some easy primers on what is at stake and some factual information - rather than emails filled with myths and untruths. Both articles ratchet down the rhetoric and give some solid summations of the legislation and controversial pieces of the debate.


Wall Street Journal - "Ten Questions on the Health Care Overhaul"
"It is crunch time for health care. Lawmakers who are trying to fundamentally remake one-sixth of the U.S. economy say this might be the most complicated legislation they have undertaken.


Here are some basics that everyone can grasp -- and probably ought to, because the health bill, if it passes, will affect almost everyone."


Read more here - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124812571962066393.html


New York Times - "A Primer on the Details of Health Care Reform"
"Each side hopes to win ground by boiling down one of the most complex policy discussions in history into digestible nuggets. For beachside viewers who might be more interested in iced-tea service than fee-for-service, here is a guide to the main fight points."


Read the entire piece here - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/health/policy/10facts.html?_r=2&sq=health%20care%20reform&st=cse&scp=2&pagewanted=all


In addition, in the wake of the debate and comments over the potential "demise" of the public option, there is a nice analysis of the situation by Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/life-after-death-of-public-option.html


And finally - have you seen AARP's commercials on television? If not, you really really should. Watch them on Youtube and leave us your thoughts and comments below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNrUAve-opU


See all the ads (tv, print, online and even listen to the radio spot) at:
http://aarp.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/Myths_vs_Facts_campaign


Take a look and let us know your thoughts.

Aug '09 13

Barry Jackson | 12:36 PM | 43 Comments

There is a great website out there called "Politifact.com" - take a look at http://www.politifact.com. They are a non-partisan and fact-based organization dedicated to illuminating the truth (or untruth) of statements politicians and other make on television, print and in other settings. Just as you might go and check an urban legend on snopes.com, we'd recommend checking things out on this Pulitzer prize winning site as well when you receive something via email or other source and you wonder about the accuracy of the statement.

Here are a few items Politifact.com is currently taking the time to research:

Obama Claims Endorsement From AARP:
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/aug/12/obama-claims-endorsement-from-aarp/

http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/12/barack-obama/obama-goes-too-far-when-he-says-health-reform-bill/

Obama would have government require a centenarian to get a pill, not a pacemaker:
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/03/dan-lungren/lungren-says-obama-would-have-government-require-c/

McCaughey claims end-of-life counseling will be required for Medicare patients:
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/jul/23/betsy-mccaughey/mccaughey-claims-end-life-counseling-will-be-requi/

And in case you have the time or the inclination, here is the link to ALL of Politifact's research into statements made on health and health reform. Take a look - there's a lot there: http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/subjects/health/

What are you hearing? Tell us! Post some of the myths you're getting in your conversations or email box in the comments section. Or give us your thoughts about why people are resorting to putting forth myths rather than arguing the facts.

Aug '09 6

Barry Jackson | 10:16 AM | 47 Comments

Hi - I'm Barry Jackson and I run the online advocacy program here at AARP. You may receive some of the emails I send out. Hopefully you find them useful. We find that these emails are a fantastic way to stay in touch with AARP members and let them know about issues that are timely and actionable.


If your inbox is anything like mine, you're getting a lot of emails about how SCARY health reform is. From allegations about rationing care to wild reports of government-sponsored euthanasia, the rumors just keep getting crazier.


And I've had enough. Enough of the fear-mongering. Enough of the myths and unfounded rumors. Enough of the interest groups twisting the truth to stop health reform.


I'm fighting back - and I'm asking for your help!


Below I've debunked some of the common myths going around. Please join me in forwarding these facts to everyone you know. Print them out and pass them around at your social gatherings and other places where people are discussing the issues of the day. Help get the truth out about reform.


The truth is real reform is at risk because opponents are using scare tactics and slogans to gin up fear and misunderstandings. Don't let that happen.


Let's make sure everyone gets the truth. Forward the message below, share these myths and facts on Facebook if you have an account, or post them on other networking sites. If you're active on Twitter, please tweet the truth now.


******Forward these points to friends and family ******


FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.


Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP's position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we're standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.


FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.


Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.


FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.


The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.


FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama's plan.


In fact, we haven't endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We're working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans - and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.


So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?


-Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
-Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
-Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
-Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.


Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.

Apr '09 6

David Goldstein | 10:18 AM | 0 Comments

For the next two weeks Congress will be in recess. What does this mean? Well Congressional Delegations will be going home to their constituents so there will be tons of stories on visits they make. It also gives voters a chance to discuss the votes their Congressional Delegations have made on their behalf. Take this time to talk with your elected officials about how they have voted this term. We've been tracking some votes to help you see where your Senators and Representatives have stood on some key issues.

Feb '09 19

David Goldstein | 11:37 AM | 0 Comments

Yesterday President Obama announced his plans to address the mortgage crisis. It is the second phase of an all out effort to fix the troubled economy. This comes after Congress voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the President signed the bill into law. AARP and our 40 million members were declared a "key vote" in this decision. Hurray! Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President, released this statement:

"Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals has forced every American to take notice of this dire moment in history. The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a critical moment for Americans young and old and a vital jump start to our ailing economy.

AARP is pleased to see that Congress included a $250 economic recovery payment for older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities who are not eligible for the Make Work Pay credit."

Read the whole statement here, as well as a list of the most important pieces in the legislation that will benefit older Americans. In the meantime, keep an eye on AARP's government watch site to check out how your officials voted on the legislation.

Dec '08 18

Alejandra Owens | 2:50 AM | 38 Comments

While it’s been quite a dramatic year, older Americans have had many victories to celebrate as 2008 comes to an end. Here are a few reasons we have to celebrate:

With that being said, there’s obviously a lot of nervousness about larger looming problems for the new year, such as the future of the economy and the health care crisis. With the new Obama administration to focus on change for this country, what should be America’s resolutions for 2009? More specifically, what issue means the most to you? Take our poll and let’s open up the discussion in comments!

Sep '08 30

Alejandra Owens | 11:56 AM | 3201 Comments

Yesterday, we watched the Dow plummet 778 points. It plummeted because Congress voted down the rescue package. And frankly, they failed to offer any solution to American families.

Slowly but surely our fears are becoming reality and the cost of Congress' inaction at this moment is resulting in lower home values, retirement dreams lost and younger generations losing opportunities of their own.

Opinions are abound and vary wildly. Where do you stand on this? Have you lost a dream yet? Do you stand to lose a dream? All we know at this point, is that Congress must do something, and they must do it fast.