ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Sounds like you are skirting whether or not you agree with Obama's plans. Please be aware that my husband and I (members of AARP) ABSOLUTELY DO NOT AGREE WITH WHAT OBAMA WANTS TO DO. WE saw on TV this morning the AARP is endorsing Obama (NBC's Today show). PLEASE tell me, yes or no, DID YOU AGREE WITH OBAMA? (Notice I didn't call he "president". Did you tell NBC that you endorse his bill?
We will not remain members if you plan to endorse his plans.

Sounds like you are skirting whether or not you agree with Obama's plans. Please be aware that my husband and I (members of AARP) ABSOLUTELY DO NOT AGREE WITH WHAT OBAMA WANTS TO DO. WE saw on TV this morning the AARP is endorsing Obama (NBC's Today show). PLEASE tell me, yes or no, DID YOU AGREE WITH OBAMA? (Notice I didn't call he "president". Did you tell NBC that you endorse his bill?
We will not remain members if you plan to endorse his plans.

Please refund my AARP membership.

Dear Mr. Rand,
My husband and I are just now considering whether we should continue to be members of AARP. We were distressed to hear that AARP was supporting Obama's health care plan. I feel like the health care plan may cut our benefits and deny us the care we need in our elder years. And that the government is not listening to us and is trying to take over our lives. Can you assure us that that will not be the case?

Phyllis J. Starks

The problem is that while the language of certain sections of the bill may not specifically say things like "ration" and "euthanasia", they do leave cracks in the door. And given past experience with a liberal administration, congress, and supreme court, the concern is for future interpertations, adaptations, and "tweaks" to this language. We know that, again from past experience, we need to be very careful how we let the camel stick it's nose in the tent. Specifically, why would I even want to pay a doctor to give me counseling on end of life issues? I can get that same information for free from organizations like AARP. Or better yet, my attorney, who will include them in my will. Let's continue to adhear to "the best government is not government" (or the least amount possible).

And while AARP may not "endorse" President Obama's plan, you are clearly urging your members to support it. So, while you are talking about myths, be sure that you are clear and honest on this one too.

I have canceled my membership with AARP. This organization has always been a little left leaning, but now you have gone too far.

Why is AARP backing the Obama Health Plan? When I called AARP and asked this question, I was told AARP did not back the plan; however later that day I saw two representatives from AARP talknng support of the plan. I am cancelling my membership from AARP, because I thought AARP was suppose to back the Senior Citizens. This is not backing the senior citizens. We, the sneior citizens, know what is best for us, not the Congress, not AARP and other organizations that are pushing this health care.
Why won't AARP hold town hall meetings and explain to the Seniors their position. I know AARP held one in Dallas, but the representatie walked out of the meeting. WHICH LEADS ONE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO BE HONEST ABOUT AAPR'S SUPPORT OF THE HEALTH PLAN. I REQUESTED SOMEONE FROM ARRP TO CONATACT ME AND EXPLAIN THIS TO ME, That was two weeks ago, I still have not received a response. Thank you.
Jean Phone: 318-322-5519. Still wating ti hear.

Does the idea that 'affordable,guaranteed coverage', noble tho' it sounds , approach economic reality ??
Its impossible.
Taxes required to provide modern medicine to 100% of Americans would sink the country.
Getting someone else to pick up the tab - standard marxist class warfare rhetoric -" from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" (Karl Marx 's Communist Manifesto ) runs headlong into that Margaraet Thatcher truism :
..." The Problem with socialism ,is that it eventually runs out of OTHER PEOPLE'S money ! ".
So RATIONING is what the STATE does TO you.
Rationing as a CHOICE, is done BY the individual.
This is America, not the failed soviet east bloc socialist economic experiment.
THE FIX :--
Medicare is bust. Raising eligiblity , as with Social Security to AGE SEVENTY TWO , will give it a few more years.

Selling insurance across state lines , WITHOUT MANDATES, will get you competitive rates.

CAP MALPRACTICE , ensure loser pays.

KEEP the government out - LBJ created Medicare (1964) when life expectancy was 67 , now white females live to 87. -its busted -too much generational theft to keep afloat.

Compassion where needed can be addressed with VOUCHERS for Medicaid- but restricted- as TennCare showed too much MediCaid breaks the state budget also.

I have cancelled my AARP membership because of AARP's position on the health care reform. My own position is outlined below in text taken from a letter I recently mailed to my US Representative.

Regarding health care reform, there is only one point on which everyone seems to agree and that is that change is needed.

I have read portions of HR 3200. It is 1,017 pages of onerous, convoluted contract legalese. This alone is reason enough to reject it and try again. Health care legislation such as this will make a bad situation worse. It simply uses the current model to insure more people and throws the federal government more prominently into the mix without addressing the root problems.

The claims being made by proponents lack credibility for two primary reasons. First, the track record of the federal government in overseeing and providing consumable services is dismal. As exhibits, I would include the VA and Medicare.

Second, some of the claims when tested against HR3200 are blatantly false. For example, the claim: if you want to keep your current insurance you will be able to do so:
· Contradicts sec. 102 on page 16 which requires, as part of "grandfathering" current plans, that there be no changes to terms or conditions of these plans - para (a)(1). This includes a change in services provided or premium costs. We all know these items change each year.
· Furthermore, para (b)(1) states that after 5 years all of these grandfathered plans must meet the proposed public (i.e., government-run) Health Insurance Exchange requirements.

Thus, in a short period of time (5 years or less) everyone will be forced out of his or her current medical plan into the government's “Exchange” (or a private equivalent).

Additionally, I find it difficult to accept President Obama's rhetoric about being able to keep my plan because he has been a long-standing advocate for a universal single-payer system (i.e. government run).

In contrast to the currently proposed legislation, the objectives of medical care reform should be to reduce health care cost per capita, provide access to basic health care to all citizens, and improve health outcomes.

Health care reform should focus on:
· A patient-doctor centric approach that includes the patient becoming a consumer and financially responsible for decisions made in consultation with his or her physician. A lot of the problem with the current system is that patients are not consumers. By and large, someone else pays the bill and the patient therefore has little or no interest in considering the costs of a medical service when weighing the pros and cons or treatment options.
· Fully transparent prices of all service providers that are published and readily accessible to all consumers in advance of treatment.
· Separating health insurance from employment so that coverage is totally portable.
· Tort reform to significantly reduce litigation and medical practice insurance costs.
· Emphasis on and incentives for good health habits and preventive care. Why should people who regularly exercise, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke and practice other healthy lifestyles subsidize those who endanger their health by the choices they make? This should not exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Finally, whatever is done, I firmly believe that all the cooks need to eat what they have prepared. In other words, all members of government, elected and appointed, should be required to receive their health care under the same plan as citizens at large.

There are many proposals that far exceed what Washington has so far come up with. The best is this article by John Mackey, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

Others worth reading are:
· Arthur Laffer, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204619004574324361508092006.html
· David Marwil, a Lexington M.D., http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/875172.html?storylink=pd

I hope you agree that these are troubling times. The direction that some of our leaders are taking America will have detrimental consequences for decades. I request that you carefully consider the above items and take, and in some cases change, your positions accordingly.

I object to the president's health care plan and resent your support of this ill thought out plan that is not in the best interest of our country. Reform is needed but we didnt create this problem in a few months it requires cooler heads and a plan that might take a little longer to think about than this. Don't fall into a utopian trap here . Please think about what you are saying yes to and please dont speak for me

I strongly support AARPs position on healthcare. I expected your position in support of a major overhaul and I was not disappointed. Thank you!

We LOVE AARP and will not only maintain our memberships but also promote the Association because of its supportive position on the changes in health care.
Anyone canceling a membership is on the losing end . . . in MANY ways.

Thank you AARP! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I am very concerned about the health care reform issue--not because I think Congress and the President are wrong on this issue--but rather the heated often ridiculous comments made concerning this issue. This has become an issue where the exchange of information is stifled because people are unwilling to even listen to the "other" side. It is my belief that people have made up their minds and can't hear anything else.
As a 57 year old with pre-existing condition now on disability, health care (insurance now) reform is vital to me and I believe, to our country. It's too bad we can't make the health care reform issue become one where Congress (past and present) need to live by the same insurance issues we all live by. No guaranteed income for the rest of our lives. Let them deal with COBRA on a limited retirement income and things would rapidly change.
Thanks, AARP, for your work.

Keep up the good work. We need health care reform now. I worked for over 21 years selling health insurance and can attest to the fact that there are many inequities and problems with the current system. I worked for a Blue Cross plan (18 years) and a private brokerage firm. We need a public option to keep the commercial carriers in line!

With the consolidation of health insurance companies and the fact that the largest are equity companies responsible to wall street, not main street, quality and quantity of services are driven by the finance gurus on wall street. (Manipulating stock prices) Many CEO's, (and I worked for one) are more interested in feathering their pockets than providing affordable coverage.

I would not let the loss of 60,000 members dissuade me from doing what is right for the country. Now is the hour that we must push forward with reform.
Let me know how I can help. I have written to all of my congressmen.
Best regards.
John

Quality, affordable health care for [ everyone ], would be a dream come true, but is this possible, or just a dream? Run by our government??? Impossible. I can not believe that AARP can just accept this without any imput from your membership. Being over 50+ does not mean that we can not THINK for ourselves.
Gonernment in everything we do, can only lead to: I Quote:
The privacy and dignity of our citizens [are] being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps. Taken individually, each step may be of little consequence. But when viewed as a whole, there begins to emerge a society quite unlike any we have ever seen---a society in which government may intrude into the secret regions of a [person's life.
Supreme Court Justice
William O. Douglas
Thank you.

I just received a membership solicitation in the mail, I am a 62 year old working female and will NEVER join the AARP as long as you tow the the White House line regarding healthcare. I would think that you would have more understanding of the older working American but you do not. I will also encourage all my friends and family to not join your organization. Too much money, too much power!

I am most likely going to join the crew exiting this organization. I do not see how AARP can back legislation that per AARP opinion is not final by a long shot. I agree things could be better but am highly disapointed that we have gotten on board with a bully president who is trying to ram incomplete paper down our throats. Highly disapointed how the heck can we say we as a group are for something that is still be debated. We should be pushing for and providing guidance as to how to improve this legislation, not backing garbage bills

Double-talk.

You and our president refuse to committ.

A public option is the quickest, and, best way to solve the health care problem.

Is it because you "SELL" healthcare...that you waffle ?

After I do more reseach; I might cancel AARP....take a stand
and let us all know "WHAT IT IS"!!!

I, and many others, will be watching!!!

Did you know that the president and all of congress are exempt from the new universal health care plan. If it was so good why don't they take it. If aarp goes along with this I have two homeowneer policies and two suto insurance policies which I will cancel and also cancel my aarp membership

Did you know that the president and all of congress are exempt from the new universal health care plan. If it was so good why don't they take it. If aarp goes along with this I have two homeowneer policies and two suto insurance policies which I will cancel and also cancel my aarp membership

The health reform bill is still not right for AARP members or Americans as a whole the way it is written now. In order to pay for the bill, $5 billion dollars in Medicare will have to be cut. I have cancelled my AARP membership.

I will be canceling my AARP subscription, I cannot continue to support any more social welfare programs. The AARP has become an arm of the communist democrat party I will have nothing more to do with your organization.

Larry Westgate

The only lies and myths about government health care that I am hearing are coming from you and the Democratic party.

Please remove me from the membership of the AARP because you are not doing anything for me by supporting government health care.
Mem # 312701247 8
Thank You and I hope you actually read and study this bill so that you will not be so misinformed.
Rocky Clancy

I will never again be a member of AARP.

Can you clear up what the stance of the AARP is with the bill that the house has put forth. We hear the President saying that the AARP is supporting this Bill, then there is a representative that states that the AARP is not endorsing the bill.

What is the stance of the AARP on the current proposals coming from the house and senate on the health care issues?

The health care DEform before congress is an abomination.

There are 58 incursions into our personal lives within the first 65 pages.

NOW, the congressmen, senators and president are excluded.
If it is not good enough for them, it is not good enough for me.

I just wanted to convey my and my husbands feelings about health care reform. We are both members of AARP and want to encourage you to stick with our president as he seeks to find ways to improve our health care system and provide health care for everyone! Please dont let the far right politics and their ridiculous assertations despite the facts. We stand with our president and hopes that once AARP has all the facts, they will find they will stand with him as well. Thank you
Rochelle and Thomas Epperson

We need to use a little old fashion logic to solve the health care problem. Why create a new public healthcare system before we understanding what is driving the cost of the current healthcare system?

We all know that health care costs are increasing and that something must be done to reign in these costs. However our political leaders do not what to discuss the real reasons for these increases. I believe this lack of candor is because the increases are attributable to special interest groups and the government itself. Would it not be better to take our time, understand and perhaps solve these problems? This will give us a firm basis on which developing an alternative plan? How can we forecast future costs if we do not understand the cost drivers of the old system? Rush to legislation could end up perpetuating the problems without providing any real solutions.

I’m just an accountant who reads the daily paper and tries to look logically at the problem. I’m certainly not an expert. However from all my reading it appears causes of the increases in health care cost are as follows.

1) Medical Malpractice Insurance - unjustified large settlement have driven up the cost of Malpractice insurance. Doctors and Hospitals are forced to charge more for services to recover these costs and to practice defensive medicine by over prescribing tests to avoid future lawsuits. This causes a significant increase in the cost of care. Tort reform needs to be a top priority.
2) Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement are significantly less than actual cost. This excess cost is then passed onto doctors and hospitals who raise their rates to private insurance carriers to break even increasing health insurance costs. The higher the Medicare and Medicaid patient load the more probable the doctor or hospital will eventually go out of business. Therefore Doctors and Hospitals try to limit the number of Medicare Medicaid patients to control costs.
3) No one can be turned away from a hospital for an emergency. This is another government regulation that creates unfunded cost, which is passed onto insurance carriers by the hospitals through increases in fees.
4) Medicare and Medicaid can not competitively bid drug cost. Canada has a cheaper drug cost and we are prohibited from competitively bidding or buying drugs from Canada.
5) Private insurers must compete on a state-by-state basic conformining to the ever changing rules and regulations of the state insurance agencies. Why not have the government establish the rules for the country and increase competitiveness by having insurers compete on a nationwide basis.
6) Make insurance plans portable and non-cancelable. Employees can move from company to another and still maintain their plan.
7) Eliminate the pre-existing conditions clause.

A good portion of the increase in medical insurance cost is forced onto private insurance carriers by the government who has bankrupted Medicare and Medicaid, who avoids tort reform because of large contribution from law firms, and legislation that forces cost onto hospitals. Lets fix these problems first and get a handle on the real cost before we develop a universal health care system we cannot pay for.

I do not want AARP to suport a government run system. The government has trillions of unfunded liabilities in Social Security, Medicare, Medicade. Why would we ever let them run a new healthcare program?

AARP:
I am completely against any form of government run insurance plans. I am satisfied with my insurance the way it is and if AARP continues to SUPPORT the bill in Congress, I will be forced to cancel my membership and spread the word among my friends that you do support the bill that will turn into socialism. Has anyone at AARP taken time to read the 1000+ page bill? I will be awaiting your e-mail.

Have you read all of the HR 3200 bill? All 1000+ pages. From what I have read so far, I don't see anything that addresses law-suit reform which I believe is a large contributor to the cost of health care since it allows outrageous awards. Congress can also make health care reform without turning the present system upside-down. Why can't the first step toward reform be to cut out the waste in the present medicare system? Once that is accomplished, work on a list of reforms that need to be done. I'd like to see a dozen or so issues that need fixing. Our government needs to be fiscally responsible and fixing the broken plans already out there should be the first step. They need to lay out a step-by-step plan and not just create another unreadable bureacracy bill to dump on top of our already burdened system. This reform needs to be a bipartisan effort as well. Republicans and Democratic administrations should have been working to fix this system years ago before the present Medicare system got in such bad shape. That's what AARP should be pushing for an agenda from my perspective-not just supporting HR 3200 blindly.

I'm a long time member of AARP. I'm very leery of those who want us to be led based on their facts, but disallow opposing viewpoints. This healthcare bill needs to be read. Then we should discuss it. What is in the bill is NOT the same thing that Pres. Obama is saying. So unless AARP has equal time for opposing viewpoints, I will not be renewing. It's time to be honest, and not be political. Thanks. =Larry Garland

Please continue to support healthcare reform. I am paying $700. a month for healthcare for myself now--half my social security check until I am 65.
Healthcare reform MUST happen or only the rich will be able to afford it soon.
Thanks for taking this stance.

Please email and lt me know exactly (yes or no) as to the Health Care Reform. Does AARP support the Health Care Reform?

There are many statement out and even Pres Obama has stated that AARP supports the Reform? But yet people interviewed fron the AARP office states that AARP is NOT supportign the Reform. Either AARP is or is not supporting, which is it? You can't have both sides of the issue.

I've just renewed my membership and made a donation to the AARP Foundation. The US MUST have health care reform. We've become a second rate country in this area and millions of people are suffering as a result.

I'm a 60 year old who'd like to retire this year, but can't because I can't afford over a thousand dollars a month I'd have to pay for private insurance. Apart from the concerns of seniors, I want all Americans to have good health care at a cost we can all afford.

Please stay strong in this struggle.

I have been a health writer for more than 15 years, and deal in facts, as well as trends. I believe your argument rests so much more on defensiveness and accusations than on what you call facts.

I think Ronald Reagan's radio address says it best, that governments wanting more control do it best in the name of compassion through medical care.

It is not the medical and health reform we are against. It is he government control--a fact you seem to miss.

I have read HR 3200. Have you? I am not sure how it is possible to read this and miss the blatant government control, loss of choice and privacy, and non-health related intervention issues.

Please reconsider your "facts."

I am a long-term member now reconsidering how much AARP has missed the boat in protecting my rights. where else do I need to be vigilant?

thank you for listening.
Marjorie Stradinger

Barry

Though I am not 100% behind any of the biils or proposed bills on the healthcare issue, I am fully behind the debate and the need for reform.

I am fairly new to the AARP boards and groups but to me there seems to be a real lack of control against people joining groups simply to put forth their views and agendas some of which are just pure lies. As you know this is how the rumors begin and fear grows.

Though I am not for a public plan option, I would like to see an exchange or pool, made up of several private insurers, which would cover anyone regardless of pre-exisiting conditions at an affordable price. My objection to the public plan is simple. Even though medicare has perform a needed service for our nations senior's it is full of fraud and abuse that goes unchecked.

Examples of this are the lack of control for motorized equipment costing medicare billions of dollars, the abuse of the disibilty coverage where one only needs a good lawyer to get while after receiving the benefits people go about their life's moving furniture and mowing lawns on the side, passing Part D without funding it is causing a great strain on medicare funds.

This list can go on and on, but until the government can get it's own house in order it will never gain the trust of the american people to run another healthcare plan.

It is also my opinion that AARP needs to begin to inform their members of the true result that will occur if a change is not forethcoming in medicare and healthcare. With the funds beginning to go into the red each year, beginning in 2008, medicare most likely will be bankrupt in less than 10 years. Taxpayers can not afford increases in taxes to pay for this shortfall with the economy as it is with no site of a full recovery in many years. It will also be very hard for congress to pass legislation leaving millions of taxpayers un-insured or under-insured that would increase these sames taxpayers burden to fund more for medicaid or medicare.

With healthcare and the economy being to two largest talking point of the last election cycle, if real and meaningful healthcare is not passed covering those who need it the most Washington will loose the ploitical will to get it done. This will not only become a greater problem, but very well could bring dramitic negative changes to medicare services.

Thank you
Douglas Harms

Is it fact or fiction you contributed $9000 to Barack Obamas campaign?

If not, how much has the AARP given to democrates vs republicans in the last 3 years?

That's all I need to know.

So, are you saying AARP is endorsing Obama's health care initative??
A straight answer is very important.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Taylor

Long time member

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

WEARABLE TOWEL: Infomercial Review

The other day my wife asked me if I had seen the infomercial yet for the Wearable Towel. You heard right: The WEARABLE Towel. And probably your response was much the same as mine: Isn't every towel pretty much wearable? I know my wife wears one around her hair every time she gets out of the shower. I've never figured out why. Guys don't do that. Are women bashful about us seeing their naked hair?

But I digress....My wife said this is different because, whereas most towels have trouble staying on when you try to cover up—IMPORTANT areas—the Wearable Towel stays on just fine. So I saw the infomercial and now I see why.

It turns out the Wearable Towel has strap-arm-sleeve thingies for that extra little bit of support. Wear it one way and it looks for all the world like you're wearing a toga. Or put both arms through it and it appears to be a woman's night gown.

“There are two reasons I won't wear that,” I told my wife, “Number one, I look pretty silly in a night gown, and number two, wearing a toga brings back to many memories of college hangovers.”

As usual, she ignored me and bought the Wearable Towel. And you know what? She looks downright sexy in it (But then, I secretly have fantasized about her in a toga). And it does its job well. It covers up those important areas without ever falling off. But the question I have is this: Does a red-blooded American guy really want to prevent a beautiful woman's towel from ever falling off? It's possible The Wearable Towel works TOO well. But I suppose one day, when I'm too old to think of those things, I might consider that a blessing.
Posted by Kelly at 9:45 AM
Labels: fashion, snuggie, toga, towel, wearable

RELATED LINKS:

http://www.wearabletowel.com/
http://www.wearabletowel.info/

I am 47 and just got a form to join. I would never join with AARPs support of Obama and this plan for health care reform. Maybe you should consider you represent us not your own agendas.

Donald Lewis

Mr. Rand you need to resign. It is clear that your out of touch with your members. I almost canceled my membership before the elections,I should have. AARP has become a pawn of the Democratic party. It seems that you assume that everyone is an Obama and Democratic House and Senate supporter. Wrong! We don't need AARP you need us. I think its time that seniors found a voice some where else I know I am! Bye Bye!

Due to your support of the Public Health Care bill I am dropping my membership with AARP. I am totally opposed to government run health care and the costs involved.

I do believe that there needs to be some healthcare reform but I do not believe that the present bills are right for our country. I am not against reform just what is being offered.

The myths that are in your presentation are not totally wrong there is some truth to it. So I think it is wrong to refer to them as myths but rather as your interpretation of the facts.

I am not an AARP member but I am trying to decide if I should join your organization and the reason I am checking out your website.

I wish to express my opposition to the health care reform plans currently proposed by President Obama and the House Democrats. I also wish to express my disappointment with AARP’s actions and statements on this important issue.

I believe the plans or policies proposed by the Obama Administration and the House Democrats are based on flawed logic and unsound principles. Additionally, this issue is one of long-term and life-changing importance to the citizens of the United States, and must not be rushed through the legislative process based on the whims of one political party or the President. It seems clear that the President and the House are acting with haste and without considering the best interests of the great majority of the citizens of the United States.

The plans or legislation proposed by President Obama and the House Democrats are contrary to the following common sense principles.

1. Health care reform must not increase health care costs to individuals or employers. It is especially important that reform not increase costs to small businesses. The evidence, including data from the Congressional Budget Office, is overwhelming that the President’s plan and the legislation currently proposed in the House of Representatives will increase health care costs significantly and contribute to the already unsustainable federal deficit. The goal of any reform should be to reduce health care costs.

2. Health care reform must not include a single payer plan or a governmental sponsored health care plan option. Citizens must retain complete freedom of choice of insurance coverage and medical providers, services and procedures. No citizen should be forced to change plans or be given incentives to move from a private to a government-sponsored insurance program. Government must not be placed in competition with private industry.

3. There must be no new taxes imposed to pay for a governmental plan. It matters not whether the proposed taxes apply to the wealthy or middle-class. We must hold President Obama to his campaign promise that “you will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime.”

4. Any meaningful health care reform must include medical liability tort reform. Reducing frivolous lawsuits and capping damages would significantly reduce current health care costs by reducing unnecessary, defensive medical procedures performed purely in anticipation of the risk of a lawsuit and by reducing the prohibitive cost of medical malpractice insurance, which is currently passed on to the consumer or payer of services.

Please lobby Congress to carefully and slowly consider sound logic and principles that will actually result in improved access to health care and reduced costs. Please carefully consider and review AARP’s position statements and publications to assure that the AARP has not become merely another unthinking follower of the President.

The current proposals promoted by President Obama and the House Democrats are seriously flawed. I will not support or maintain membership in an organization that fosters or supports such unsound and illogical concepts.

You will NOT get my renewal when my current membership expires (Sep 2010) because of your position of the current health reform bill currently in Congress. I don't feel you are potecting the interest of the elderly.

I tired of the threat, Doing nothing is not an option,". It may be a better option than giving the Obama, Pelosi, Reid triad a free hand to create a nother system micro-managed by the Gvt.

For better ways to manage health plans look at what was passed by Congress and vetoed by Clinton in 1995 and other pland introduced by the Republicans and filibustered by the Democrats in 2003 - 2006. And where was AARP during this time? Mostly bashing Bush along with the left, I believe.

I think it's time for AARP to stand up for RETIRED MEMBERS rather than becoming a political advocate for the Democratic party.

I, for one, resent having to pay any income tax on my SS income. And where's your oposition to McCauley in CA?

Re: Healh Care Reform
Just read the Health Care Reform Tag - I disagree with most of the dialogue. Seniors are not being protected under this plan. The biggest problem for most people against this plan (is not from misinformation). Have you read the 1000 page+ bill?
WE DO NOT WANT GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE (WHICH IS THE SAME AS SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. I still don't know what AARP supports - FOR OR AGAINST??
The fact that our representatives will not have to take this
Pulbic Health Care Option (House Resolution 61) and will be able to keep the quality health care plan they now have - sure sends a strong signal to everyone else - this plan is not for us!!
I sent an e mail to laronstein@aarp.org on 8/12 asking AARP's position but never received a response. I think if AARP continues to lean toward supporting the Obama Plan they will lose more and more members.The petitions to Schumer/Gillibrand/Nadler - was not want I want to say to them. I am not pushing for the plan "this year" and it does not cover the major complaint of government run health care.

Does AARP support the house bill as it is now written? If not, what parts/issues does it support and what parts/issues does it not support? It appears the AARP is dancing around these questions. Many AARP members feel that we have forgotten our non-political policy, and are now in bed with the Pres. Obama.

AARP Leadership - Bravo! for standing up and supporting the reforms that the current administration and intelligent citizens are striving for. Anyone who has had to fight with their insurance company about medical decisions that an accountant makes can certainly understand why we need reform. Also, it is just wrong to allow the insurance and pharmaceutical industries to be directing the national debate, both with lobbyists and so-called grassroots organizations.

Nice try Barry but we're leaving AARP in droves and I will NEVER trust AARP again! The only "strength" you've ever gotten from your members is their money. While you had your hand in our pockets you forgot to listen to us!

What is AARP doing to prevent cuts in Medicare? I am in a Medicare Advantage HMO and this seems to be the #1 target of Obama's cuts. It is impersonal assembly-line care--what more can they cut? When I turned 65, seniors were herded into HMO's which were thought to be cost effective then--now they are the subject of Obama's scorn...now I am stuck: independent doctors won't take really old Medicare patients...

It is apparent that you stand in favor of this health care reform without really caring what we the members really think of on health reform. You have not posted any on line voting for members on this issue so we as members can make a inform decision together. You are like the Dem and think you know what is best for the members. Let us vote on line and in plain view of all members to see where we stand on health reform. I am concern on the cost to me for this reform and what exactly will I receive for medical coverage. Now I pay $280/mo for a family plan with a $250 deduction and a $15 co-pay, $10 prescription with Blue Cross and vision. Will I pay less per month and receive better coverage or maybe I will get coverage without cost to me? How can I receive this new health care for free if I'm unable to work or choose not to work anymore. Will my current insurance be dropped if this reform is pass? Tell me what I will pay for this reform and what medical coverage my family will have and I might send to my Representatives those letters that I constantly receive from AARP. Until you can answer these question do your job and find the answers for your members.

If AARP does not come out in opposition to the Obama-Pelosi-Reid healthcare bill(s), I will be canceling my membership in your organization. My congressman may not represent me, but you should.

I support a lot of what you say in your healthcare column, but the Obama-Pelosi healthcare plan is unacceptible - mainly because I don't trust the President or Congress any more. President Obama has misrepresented his position and the content of his healthcare proposals from the start. I was appalled last week when he said on TV that he didn't know what was in the healthcare bill he was supporting. In my view, healthcare reform can start with a couple of fairly simple items:

1. Tort reform - If Obamacare doesn't include getting the lawyers under control, then he has no real interest in controlling cost. This simple step will reduce unnecessary medical test and eliminate the "Lottery Bonanza" that malpractice suits create. (Of course, the lawyers are the big winners - just look at John Edwards.)
2. Insurance companies should pay doctors in a timely fashion. From what I have seen, it seems to take about 3 months for a doctor to get paid. This isn't right and it costs us money.
3. No limits on pre-existing conditions; no dropping people from insurance when they get sick. The definition of insurance is shared-risk, these standards should be fundamental.

I have a lot more to say, but my letter need not be as convoluted as Obamacare. Oppose the bill - sitting quietly on the sidelines will cost you my menbership.

Take the socialist health care deformatity and shove it right up your socialist a..

I am very distrurbed by the mis-information about the proposed health reform plans that is being trumpeted in all sorts of media. AARP is a respected organization. Your comments on the myths is very good. I think it would be helpful to have a chart on your website that lists the myths and exactly what each of the 5 bills before Congress say about them. It's that kind specificity that would be most helpful in getting at the truth.

Thanks.

I could not disagree with you more strongly, than I do about your support of the democrats health care reform and its focus on a public health care option.

It is very likely and almost certain that the cost of a public option will sky rocket out of control just as Medicare , Medicaid, Welfare and almost every social program that the Federal government has initiated. The only way for the government to control costs is to limit coverage and introduce more price controls. Neither of these are in the best interest of YOUR constituents and members.

My understanding of the plans currently under discussion is that they are a major first step in the direction of a single payer system. That fist step, combined with President Obama's speeches prior to being elected, have me convinced we are headed in the wrong direction. I am hoping that you will take a leadership position in working on both sides of the aisle to find a better solution. Incorporation of many of the philosophies included in the Senator DeMint's Health Care Freedom Plan would provide a much more sustainable program than a single payer system. Those philosohpies put COST CONTROL on the INDIVIDUAL, not on the Federal Government.

Secondly, the claims that we can keep our "current" plan while accurate are at best insincere. The Limitation on New Enrollment on Page 16 of the House Bill reads as follows:

"Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day" of the year the legislation becomes law."

So we can all keep our "current" coverage, just as promised — with, of course, exceptions: Those who currently have private individual coverage won't be able to change it. Nor will those who leave a company to work for themselves be free to buy individual plans from private carriers.

The nonpartisan Lewin Group estimated in April that 120 million or more Americans could lose their group coverage at work and end up in such a program. That would leave private carriers with 50 million or fewer customers. This could cause the market to, as Lewin Vice President John Sheils put it, "fizzle out altogether."

Will AARP's coverage of new members be limited by this draconian measure?

Programs in MA and TN are NOT working. I urge you to support only those plans that will avoid their mistakes.

This is a difficult issue. Past difficult issues have been solved with bi-partisan commissions and trial programs. Why are the democrats forcing a solution rather than working jointly to find one that is acceptable to the majority of the public?

Sincerely,

/S/

Jim Kovalcik

As a long time AARP member, I commend you on your stance on the pending proposals to reform our nation's health care. President Obama is on the right track. We need a "public option". Most of all, we need coverage for all Americans. Stay the course!

It's a real shame that "scare" tactics are put out there by the extremists.
Thank you for your letter......I am 100% with you on this!

Thank you for promoting a sensible plan to address this critical need. As Americans, we need to address this issue not only because of the moral imperative that it presents, but because health care reform is critical to our long-term economic stability.

I have been getting AARP invitations to join for a couple of years now, but did not see how this organization really represented me, even though I am in my mid-50s. This post has convinced me to join.

I'm going to do that right away.

Thanks.

A.BARRY RAND

Dear Barry Relative to health care,too much nonsense is going on i.e. President Obama hints AARP has already sold their souls and members to the Washington home team. I expect AARP will issue more forcefull statements advising all ,AARP is not just going to roll over...for anyone. Let's face the truth our leaders underestimated our views,input etc they took us and AARP for granted but, in the process they awoke a sleeping giant. You are one of the represenatives of that Giant and if AARP doesn't get/do it right the first time you could eaily lose a million members...just like that!! Now is not the time to get caught up in the political web we find ourselves in. I feel we all have to start offf with a clean slate! Today AARP members and the vast majority of our citizens appear to being led down a pathway that is fraught with numerous pitfalls and hazards. I strongly urge you insure at the end of our pathway we'll see a rainbow not a radioactive future.

Barry to date your report card reflects many A grades and you are keenly aware of the importance of good grades. Literally millions of US citizens are hoping and praying you do not forget your study habits and begin failing in your efforts to insure our seniors are not buried alive.

Always be well,.happy , and prosperous!

james P. Mc Kenna

A.BARRY RAND

Dear Barry Relative to health care,too much nonsense is going on i.e. President Obama hints AARP has already sold their souls and members to the Washington home team. I expect AARP will issue more forcefull statements advising all ,AARP is not just going to roll over...for anyone. Let's face the truth our leaders underestimated our views,input etc they took us and AARP for granted but, in the process they awoke a sleeping giant. You are one of the represenatives of that Giant and if AARP doesn't get/do it right the first time you could eaily lose a million members...just like that!! Now is not the time to get caught up in the political web we find ourselves in. I feel we all have to start offf with a clean slate! Today AARP members and the vast majority of our citizens appear to being led down a pathway that is fraught with numerous pitfalls and hazards. I strongly urge you insure at the end of our pathway we'll see a rainbow not a radioactive future.

Barry to date your report card reflects many A grades and you are keenly aware of the importance of good grades. Literally millions of US citizens are hoping and praying you do not forget your study habits and begin failing in your efforts to insure our seniors are not buried alive.

Always be well,.happy , and prosperous!

james P. Mc Kenna

Dear Mr. Rand,
I have a couple of issues with your article and with the AARP on the Health Care Legislation.
1) I expect the CEO of the AARP to be a strong and clear voice for retires and near-retires across the country - NOT a glorified mouthpiece for President Obama! Remember who you work for.
2) I have yet to see ANY fine print of proposed legislation agreed to by either the House or Senate that I can specifically support or oppose. You speak about myths and lies. Which is it? If you could provide an example of at least ONE paragraph of the proposed legislation (not "talking points sent to you by the Obama team) but GENUINE text of the legislation that we could intelligently debate, that would help.
3) I do not appreciate - AT ALL - you spending our membership dollars running online and print ads depicting anyone who dares ask the tough questions as obstructionists or part of a "vast right wing conspiracy". I am not part of any conspiracy. My wife and I are not being paid by any insurance company or political party. We didn’t even vote in the last election because we didn’t like EITHER candidate; so it’s NOT POLITICAL; it’s PERSONAL!
4) We are financially comfortable and are not that concerned about our health care costs. However, we are VERY concerned about our children and their children, who are struggling just to pay their montyhly bills. Your rubber stamping anything proposed by the Administration doesn’t help us or our children. The AARP should be DEMANDING spirited debate, we should be DEMANDING that ALL voices are being heard, we should be DEMANDING that those of us less fortunate are represented. Yes, some people are hard to take sometimes, like Patrick Henry or Ben Franklin, but after though and reflection, they often made very good points.
In summary, do the job you are being paid to do; representing the members of this organization, not being a mouthpiece for your buddies in Washington.

Mark & Patti Eaton
Lancaster, Massachusetts

PLEASE CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP. I REVIEWED FILM OF THE MEETING IN TEXAS AND THINK HOW IT WAS HANDLED WAS DISGUSTING. I DO NOT WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD THROW THEIR OWN MEMBERS UNDER A BUS FOR SELF SERVING REASONS. I ALSO DO NOT AGREE WITH YOUR COMMERCIALS BACKING OBAMACARE. I SUGGEST YOU ACTUALLY READ THE BILL.

count me out--i just sent you a letter canceling my membership.

To: AARP

I resign my membership becuase I no longer beleive that you have my best interests as your organizations goal.

Your flip-flopping on Health Care has convinced me to resign from AARP, efective 9/1/2009.

John E Bridgeford

To AARP-

We do not agree with AARP's position on health care reform and therefore request an immediate cancellation of our AARP membership, along with a refund of any applicable fees/dues for that membership, which was due to run until March 2015.

Sincerely,

Katherine Bailey
Gordon Bailey
Membership Number 055465989 6

My wife and I are both conservative democrats and we along with all of the AARP people we know do not support the President's public option for health care. We do not want the government controlling our health care and we do not want AARP supporting this option. Health care reform is one thing but government control is something we do not want and we expect AARP to defend us against this option.

AARP is supporting Obama's aim to eliminate Medicare Advantage Programs. This will undermine millions of senior citizens and leave them without any medigap protection. Most people cannot afford to purchase a supplement insurance plan.

Your discourse is an outstanding example of writing a great deal and really not stating the position of AARP on the obamacare plan. You speak of half-truths and lies, but you don't address any of them.

Please note that you may have millions of members, but the only way you can go when you are on the top is down.

Until I hear that you are against taking advantage of us olders and all the others who will suffer if obama and his palosies and reids in Congress adopt this ripo off of the American people, my membership is subject to cancellation. Most of his give away plans are a disaster even though they won't admit it.

I am disappointed in you and AARP for not leveling with us.

WSJ: Obama's Senior Moment
Why the elderly are right to worry when the government rations medical care.*

Elderly Americans are turning out in droves to fight ObamaCare, and President Obama is arguing back that they have nothing to worry about. Allow us to referee. While claims about euthanasia and "death panels" are over the top, senior fears have exposed a fundamental truth about what Mr. Obama is proposing: Namely, once health care is nationalized, or mostly nationalized, rationing care is inevitable, and those who have lived the longest will find their care the most restricted.

Far from being a scare tactic, this is a logical conclusion based on experience and common-sense. Once health care is a "free good" that government pays for, demand will soar and government costs will soar too. When the public finally reaches its taxing limit, something will have to give on the care and spending side. In a word, care will be rationed by politics.

Mr. Obama's reply is that private insurance companies already ration, by deciding which treatments are covered and which aren't. However, there's an ocean of difference between coverage decisions made under millions of voluntary private contracts and rationing via government. An Atlantic Ocean, in fact. Virtually every European government with "universal" health care restricts access in one way or another to control costs, and it isn't pretty.
The British system is most restrictive, using a black-box actuarial formula known as "quality-adjusted life years," or QALYs, that determines who can receive what care. If a treatment isn't deemed to be cost-effective for specific populations, particularly the elderly, the National Health Service simply doesn't pay for it. Even France—which has a mix of public and private medicine—has fixed reimbursement rates since the 1970s and strictly controls the use of specialists and the introduction of new medical technologies such as CT scans and MRIs.

Yes, the U.S. "rations" by ability to pay (though in the end no one is denied actual care). This is true of every good or service in a free economy and a world of finite resources but infinite wants. Yet no one would say we "ration" houses or gasoline because those goods are allocated by prices. The problem is that governments ration through brute force—either explicitly restricting the use of medicine or lowering payments below market rates. Both methods lead to waiting lines, lower quality, or less innovation—and usually all three.

A lot of talk has centered on what Sarah Palin inelegantly called "death panels." Of course rationing to save the federal fisc will be subtler than a bureaucratic decision to "pull the plug on grandma," as Mr. Obama put it. But Mrs. Palin has also exposed a basic truth. A substantial portion of Medicare spending is incurred in the last six months of life.

From the point of view of politicians with a limited budget, is it worth spending a lot on, say, a patient with late-stage cancer where the odds of remission are long? Or should they spend to improve quality, not length, of life? Or pay for a hip or knee replacement for seniors, when palliative care might cost less? And who decides?

In Britain, the NHS decides, and under its QALYs metric it generally won't pay more than $22,000 for treatments to extend a life six months. "Money for the NHS isn't limitless," as one NHS official recently put it in response to American criticism, "so we need to make sure the money we have goes on things which offer more than the care we'll have to forgo to pay for them."
Before he got defensive, Mr. Obama was open about this political calculation. He often invokes the experience of his own grandmother, musing whether it was wise for her to receive a hip replacement after a terminal cancer diagnosis. In an April interview with the New York Times, he wondered whether this represented a "sustainable model" for society. He seems to believe these medical issues are all justifiably political questions that government or some panel of philosopher kings can and should decide. No wonder so many seniors rebel at such judgments that they know they could do little to influence, much less change.
Mr. Obama has also said many times that the growth of Medicare spending must be restrained, and his budget director Peter Orszag has made it nearly his life's cause. We agree, but then why does Mr. Obama want to add to our fiscal burdens a new Medicare-like program for everyone under 65 too?

Medicare already rations care, refusing, for example, to pay for virtual colonoscopies and has payment policies or directives to curtail the use of certain cancer drugs, diagnostic tools, asthma medications and many others. Seniors routinely buy supplemental insurance (Medigap) to patch Medicare's holes—and Medicare is still growing by 11% this year.
The political and fiscal pressure to further ration Medicare would increase exponentially if government is paying for most everyone's care. The better way to slow the growth of Medicare is to give seniors more control over their own health care and the incentives to spend wisely, by offering competitive insurance plans. But this would mean less control for government, not more.

It's striking that even the AARP—which is run by liberals who favor national health care—has been backing away from support for Mr. Obama's version. The AARP leadership's Democratic sympathies will probably prevail in the end, perhaps after some price-control sweeteners are added for prescription drugs. But AARP is out of touch with its own members, who have figured out that their own health and lives are at stake in this debate over ObamaCare. They know that when medical discretion clashes with limited government budgets, medicine loses

MR. RAND, SINCE YOU ARE NOW THE CEO OF AARP I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY YOU "PERSONALLY" HAVE NOT BEEN ON FOX NEWS TO DEBATE THE HEALTH PLAN TURMOIL?? I HAVE SEEN & HEARD YOUR FELLOW ADMINISTRATORS BUT NOT "YOU". WE SENIORS THAT HAVE RESPECTED AARP'S STAND ON ISSUES THRU THE YEARS ARE NOW AWAITING YOUR LEADERSHIP TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. YOU HAVE THE "JOB" & THE OBLIGATION TO DO SO--------HOPING TO SEE YOUR FACE ON "FOX" NEWS IN THE NEAR FUTURE!

Dear Mr. Rand:

You rail against purported "myths and lies that have warped the health care reform debate." And you and the hierarchy of the AARP have the gall to represent yourself as spokepersons for the elderly. The myths and lies are coming from our president and his Democrat flunkies in Congress. As with the "Stimulus Bill," few, if any, of them have bothered to so much as acquaint themselves with the actual content of the the House Health Care Bill HR3200 they remain so anxious to vote into law. In President Obama's clearly staged "Town Halls," he continues to intentionally mislead the public with comments such as "If you like your insurance and your doctor, you can keep them," and "The public option is to improve competitiveness by private insurers, not to produce a government takeover of your health insurance." The Bill itself (see e.g., pages 15 et seq, which ends private insurance coverage for any individual or group if any terms, conditions, premiums, etc. of the policy are changed, and thereafter leaves only the public option available) puts the lie to those statements, and other untruths spoken by our President and Democrats who have had the temerity to hold "Town Halls." Not surprisingly, none of those representatives (including Obama) has addressed specific provisions of the Bill, instead relying on platitudes of "universal coverage" and "lowered costs" (which themselves, are outright lies). Small wonder the ground-swell of protests against the Bill arises from the people themselves (in excess of 50% according to every credible poll, and probably 75% of the elderly) -- yes, grassroots -- who are rightly alarmed at what they find in this nightmare legislation. For some enlightenment, I invite you to read Dr. John David Lewis' (visiting professor at Duke University) analysis “HR3200 Health Care Bill: What Does it Say?” at http://www.classicalideals.com.

I am resigning my membership (No. 029411527 4) in AARP. Like so many others, I am tired of your constant fawning over legislation bent on kicking the elderly under the bus -- and I mean that literally as well as figuratively.

Donald R. Greene

I was shocked to see the AARP commercial showing everyone getting in the way of the health care ambulance. The message was just get out of the way with health care reform. If my current health insurance was not through AARP, I would be resigning my membership. The organization has become a liberal political organization rather than looking out for the interests of its members.
Your message indicates that there must be health reform. Why must the government become involved? The current system may be somewhat flawed, but it is still the best in the world. If reform is truly sought, the first step would be tort reform. As a lawyer, I do not feel that the insurance companies are solely at fault. If true reform is sought, there should be a total well thought out solution rather than rushing through a piecemeal program.

I will wait 1 month and if AARP is still backing this "quality health care program" I will be dropping my membership. This must not be passed!!! and AARP should not be promoting it. Look at other countries and look at what Obama is doing to us! If it is such "quality" then everyone employed by AARP and every congressman including the President should sign up for it. Changes do have to be made but why not address the insurance companies and the outlandish charges that have to be made to get a reasonable reimbursement for care. If this passes there will be greatly decreased competent medical people to care for us. OPEN YOUR EYES and truly evaluate this program--don't simply agree with Obama and his ideas. If the bailout money had been used to give each of us the $80,000 equal to the stimulus, our country would already be in much better shape!!!

I have been an AARP member since 1993 but no more. Your stance on Medicare drug program several years ago as well as your current position on Heath Care reform is not in agreement with my political and patriotic views. I do not support govt programs of which none have been run successfully nor do I believe others should pay for our health care through the tax code.

My membership will be exchanged for American Seniors Association membership so you can count me in the 60,000 plus who have had enough of your political posturing with Liberals.

Over the years I have learned to never believe anything a politician, of any party, says. They are not to be trusted for any reason. I have learned in recent years not to trust the American news media either. All news media have become very biased in their reporting and I have become very disappointed in the network media especially. I expect cable and pay-per-view to be biased. You pay for that bias whether it is a liberal CNN or a conservative Fox. However, NBC, CBS, and ABC can no longer be trusted. We sure could use Walter Cronkite about now. The democrats and republicans seen to be doing everything in their power to divide us and the media seem to want to oblige them. I think that is why everyone is being so cautious about healthcare reform. If you can't trust your government and news media, who can you trust? I'm sure President Obama is sincere in what he says about healthcare reform but, I do not trust any of his democrat colleagues. Especially Pelosi and Reid. The problem is I don't trust the republicans either. Everyone needs to back off and cool off a little.

My AARP card is NOT cut up or shredded.

But it WILL be the day AARP abandons its support for the "public option" or Medicare (or something similar) for all.

How dare MY AARP cave to the throngs of anarchists paid by the health care industry, or to people --even if they are AARP members --who are so selfish they would rather see millions of innocent and deserving people and the whole country go down the tubes rather than see one comma of their Medicare changed or endangered ???

I thought the AARP was a principled organization !!!

It is your JOB to EDUCATE these selfish AARP members. Their Medicare --my Medicare --is MOST endangered WITHOUT a "public" option! If they don't care about the millions of people falling into health and financial ruin in our present sick health care setup, they'd better stop and think about the prognosis for Medicare if it continues to cover only the oldest and sickest.

The country desperately needs health care reform that includes a "public option", people without affordable health insurance desperately need it --and peple already on Medicare better wake up and realize THEY need it most of all.

It's YOUR job, AARP, to help these people understand this.

Brenda Pena
Medicare Recipient
NYC

You support of the Obama Health Care Plan is the last straw with AARP. I can't wait to get my renewal notice so I can throw it in the trash.

I joined AARP because it was the major player devoted to senior issues. Your stance on Health Care(Health Insurance)reform seems to run contrary to the needs of your dues paying members. 2 years ago I was paying $1440 per month for coverage for me and my wife. I retired May 2008 and now pay $262 per month for my Secure Horizons. My deductibles and copys are negligible and we have our same doctors and no claim forms to handle. Medicare Advantage has been specifically targeted in Obama Care. Do you represent your dues paying members or are you just another closet left wing group out to screw we seniors who worked all our lives in order to subsidize those who are not willing to take care of themselves? Please don't forward this to the thought police.

My wife and I joined AARP today because of the organization's support of health care reform. Please keep up the strong fight.

I am extremely disappointed at the position that AARP has taken regarding the HR 3200 health care bill. Simply taking the position that we need health care reform without addressing the specific provisions contained in the bill is extremely irresponsible!

If AARP was truly concerned with the welfare of retired (especially elderly retired people) people, someone in the organization should have taken the time to read the bill and see how onerous so many of the provisions are. Being an 81 year old, Passage of this bill will virtually eliminate my health care!

As has often been said "the devil is in the details". The internet has writings by people in the medical field citing Chapter and Verse the many provisions that will limit or eliminate the health care that I now get.

The "Bill" in it's present form will take away my rights and give the Government control over lives!

I cannot support AARP which is promoting a "Bill" that is detrimental to me. THEREFORE I no longer wish to be a member of AARP. Please remove my name from the membership rolls.

G. Lewchuk
014800094 6

ting

why doesn't aarp come out in favor of tort reform. clearly the added costs of defensive medicine plus excessive medical malpractice premiums are important drivers of increased medical costs in the u.s.

I am absolutely against the government health care plan. The government has already overstepped its boundries by being too involved in the banking system, auto manufacturing, and what ever else they have gotten their long fingers into. KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HEALTH CARE!! I am one small step from cancelling my membership in AARP.

AARP and Mr.Rand
How can you in all seriousness endorse President OBama's health care. I agree reform is necessary but the current offering
of lies, cancelled policies after a few years, adherence to a single payor system - which Mr. OBama has time and time again
in speeches endorsed - mandatory end of life counseluing (sounds scary, wasteful use of doctors/health personnel and
unnecessary and expensive). No government run health care
system in the world is adequate and most people who live in other countries come to the United States for surgeries at the Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, etc. because they cannot wait for their
operations 6 months or a year out or are told there is no treatment available.
The federal government is lousy at running large systems -
US Post Office - a monopoly that is losing money as well as
Medicare !!!!COUNT ME AS AN EX AARP MEMBER BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE YOUR POSITION ON THIS HEALTH REFORM PACAKAGE.

why doesn't aarp come out in favor of tort reform. clearly the added costs of defensive medicine plus excessive medical malpractice premiums are important drivers of increased medical costs in the u.s.

Please support the Public Option - just like Medicare, we need an option that is available to everyone. My fear is that once the Radical Right wins the fight against the Public Option, they will then dis-mantle Medicare. I am only 18 months away from Medicare. My husband and I spend nearly 1/4 of our income on health insurance that only covers major medical. Fortunately, we are both healthy, however, he uses a beta blocker for an irregular heart beat, and thus does not quality for any other insurance should it be available to us. We are between a rock and a hard place. I will be thrilled to have Medicare - why isn't this the Public Option - extend Medicare! There may be some problems with the program but that can be worked out - overall it seems to work pretty well. Are we only opposing the Public Option because we are beholding to insurance companies rather than the health and well-being of the American public? AARP needs to support the Public Option - call it Medicare, but support it!

Are you kidding me? $313 billion in Medicare cuts over 10 years is GOOD for seniors? And President Obama himself said that older Americans should look to medicating problems instead of surgical or more permanent solutions. You sir are the one spreading myths and LIES and you should be ashamed for knowingly turning your AARP back on the very people you are supposed to be advocating for. You are a disgrace!

I would seem that AARP would better spend there resources insuring Medicare and Medicare are improved or at the minimum will be maintained.

Your position statement, above seems to be very close to the current administrations proposal. The details of which are sadly lacking.

I do not feel AARP has represented the interests of it's member in this debate. I do not plan on renewing my membership until AARP gets a clearer and more defined message.

I will not be a member of any club or group supporting any movement to expand the governments size and or role in our lives. ENOUGH government and ENOUGH taxes.

Your repeated assertions that people disagreeing with your positions are doing so based on myths and lies are insulting. Your members are retired physicians, attorneys, accountants, legislators, and other professionals. Many of us have formed our opinions based on reading the bill itself and administration and democratic party materials. Have you read anything by Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel? What does Pres. Obama find so morally troubling about spending money on expensive medical treatment for the elderly? If the Congressional Budget Office finds basing treatment decisions on cost effectiveness controversial, why don't you? Do you consider denying someone life-saving medical treatment based on their life expectancy rationing? Is it moral? Will you allow members of AARP to ask you these questions directly and will you answer them?

I think rather than fight for us, we'd prefer to be treated as adults. Thank you

Does the AARP plan to support any health care plan that congressmen and senators exempt themself from having to sign up for like all of us.

How do you think congress is going to get the money for these plans. All the current plans are disigned to take benefits for our over 65 group and move the funds to illegals and other groups. Why would the AAPR support any program when it is going to burden our senior group. If you support any program like this 50,000 or 60,000 lost members will only be the start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do you think something must be done now? This is the first step in controlling people and the first step to controlling you and other groups like the AARP.

I have been a member of AARP since 1994 Member #097018946, to support our senior group and to this point I am very disappointed with the AARP's support of the goverment take over of our health care plans and I hope the AARP takes a different direction in the future

Please cancel my membership in AARP.
The reasons are:
1. AARP's involvement and "Close" ties with the Service Employee International Union. (SEIU)

2. The AARP ran an ad on TV stating something to the effect that interest and people were obstructing the Healthcare action. How dare you try to quiet honest Americans?

3. The obvious backing of a the Democratic Healthcare plan.

4. The AARP is supposed to be non-biased and fighting for me. You are not. I do not believe what AARP or the so called Government has to say on Healthcare.

5. I have yet to see from AARP or the Government concrete answers to honest questions and not only what the bill says, what it means now and in the future.

6. A person has to be uncommonly stupid or biased to believe Obama. I voted for Obama and will never vote democratic again, and I will never be part of the AARP again either,
I am a college professor and I know what I read and I can read between the lines. I have personnaly read the bill. While I agree we need reform, the bill is pure socialistic and special interest trash. The AARP should be ashamed of itself.

So cancel my membership and NEVER send me anything in the mail or by email, or I will launch a law suit against the AARP.

The health care reform that is being pushed by left wing socialist Democrat politicians is not good for Americans in general and not good for AARP members in particular.

If we need health care reform, the reforms being pushed by Pelosi, Reed, and Obama is not the reform we need.

We cannot afford to have a health care system managed by the Government. There are too many reasons to cite here, but it should be self-evident.

Some of the reasons follow naturally from the Government's inability to manage anything. Look at the Cash for Clunkers program or at the Post Office or the stimulus package for three examples of drastic failure by the Government.

Any "fix" to our health care system must be dramatically different than the bills being considered in Congress.

If the AARP is serious about effective reform, and wants to convince its membership that it is on our side, then as a part of the campaign, it must enumerate the leading things that are wrong with the current Congressional bills.

In the absence of doing this, it appears that that AARP is supporting the "nationalized socialized health care programs" currently being pushed through Congress.

In the absence of AARP's doing this, I am strongly tempted to cancel my membership.

You have just begun to see people leave AARP. You have no idea how many people (myself included) who will NEVER renew. If anyone really cared about fixing healthcare, they would look at the problems it had and address each one with a possible solution. AARP can at zero cost (through emails) solicit the views of its membership on various issues. Instead, it chooses to do as it pleases. The first suggestion to fix healthcare is real TORT REFORM. This is something the legislators and their cronies are reluctant to fix (since most are lawyers). The second is pass legislation that would allow people (and companies) to buy healthcare insurance from anyone (outside their state, or country). Again, special interests don't allow this. And finally, for the 47 million people who don't have healthcare insurance, I'm sure half are illegal aliens who don't deserve any handouts! Many of the rest don't want insurance even though they can afford it. A very small number want it and are struggling to afford anything. That VERY small group should be carefully screened and placed on a Medicaid type program. We don't NEED and we don't WANT any more government (inefficient) programs that even have the most minisucle possibility of affecting OUR EXISTING healthcare. The governmnet is all about GRABBING as much power as it can, and that IS what the Healthcare, Bailouts, Cap and Trade, and private "ARMY" is all about!

Thanks! I appreciate all the work you are doing for us.

No to obamacare. Socialized health care must not pass. No no no.

You can cancel my membership(303983932 3) Any organization who supports the government taking over anything and distroying private industry in not one I want to be a member of. The gov has proven time after time it can't run it own house, much less mine. We have a congress that dosen't either read or understand the legistration they are passing. Bravo to the other 60,000 ex members, I hope that number grows exponentially.

Tommy Dickinson

Until there is a concrete Bill before congress there can be no lies or truth. I see several challenges:

1. The Federal Government typically runs programs and agencies poorly. if they were independent of public funds most would be out of business.
2. A public option sounds great to some, in the long run it may not be at all. Again, more costly, less competition because the government can continue to lower it's cost (remember who funds the fed).
3. Congress has expressed an interest in increasing taxes on small businesses, both on withholding, FICA and SS. Please note small business is the largest employer of Americans. If you continue to increase costs to business either businesses charge more (no guarantee that those increases can be passed along), salaries get cut, or people lose their jobs; all possible and disheartening.
4. Healthcare is costly, healthcare institutions must accept those who can not pay, who do you think pays for this. Medicare has been abused, again the government can't run it's own program.
5. I could go continue, but I have to get back to work.

Sir:
We don't need to FIX health care we only need to insure those who don't have coverage. The current system is fine for us who have insurance.
Let's say my bathroom needs remodelling. One does not need to tear down the entire house just to fix the bath. Much cheaper that way and everyone says the US is out of money! Let's just fix the bathroom first, then look at the rest of the house.
Thank you.
David Bolton
3225658164

I am currently a member of AARP. But, I will not be renewing my membership.

I am seeing ads on TV that are paid for by the AARP promoting Obama's Health Care takeover plans.

While I agree that we need to change the system, we do not need a govt takeover as they are planning. It is not just the Government Option for insurance. I have read the entire 1000 page house bill and it contains many things that disturb me. Massive regulation of the entire health care industry is a big thing.

The most disturbing is the lack of details, the plan is filled with broad statements on regulations that will be developed by others not yet named with no real guidence. It is an invitation to disaster on a huge scale.

I agree we need to take care of seniors, I have paid into medicare since it was started, but I am furious that ILLEGAL Aliens will be covered.

Yes we need change, but not this kind.

Wjhy you are supporting Mr Obama and his plans is beyond me, but I will not have my money paying for ads for something that I totally agree with. His whole plan needs to be scrapped and they need to start over using some common sense.

You support the Obama plan rather than a plan that would work! Gov run plans will cost more and do less, name one thing the goverment can do cheaper and right compared to the private sector????
Single payer plans or socialized goverment plans will ruin our great health care system. We have the best health plan in the world and only 10% don't have a health plan! We need better prices and you can't get the goverment a new company to run it, since they can't make a profit if they tried. Look how bad the military hospitals for retirees are, they are in bad shape and takes forever to get into...
You take his plan but not me, and I am dropping out of the AARP !!

thanks, but you are not helping me!

I am a 58 year old that has considered joining AARP but after
learning that the organization aligns itself with the left wing
radical political group in Washington, D.C., I will NEVER join
AARP! (My husband, also 58, agrees). Apparently AARP is
just another group that is more concerned with the "kick-backs"
it will receive from corrupt Wasington insiders than the lack of benefits for it's members.

Your stand in favor of a government-run health care plan, or a government managed health-care plan, as it is currently proposed and working its way through Congress, is 100% against every thing I have worked for all of my life.

While there are things that need to be fixed in health care insurance, we have the best health care provision in the world and I do not want anyone taking steps that may lessen its positive impact on my life.

I don't want to stand in line. I don't want the government taking away yet another of my rights. And I sure as hell don't want to continue belonging to an organizing that does.

Please continue to provide information based on facts. I am very concerned that the "hot heads" behind the scene who are using scare tactics to derail the current health care discussion are getting the upper hand. It's good to have healthy discussions, but we don't need people screaming and carrying guns.

Are you kidding me? $313 billion in Medicare cuts over 10 years is GOOD for seniors? And President Obama himself said that older Americans should look to medicating problems instead of surgical or more permanent solutions. You sir are the one spreading myths and LIES and you should be ashamed for knowingly turning your AARP back on the very people you are supposed to be advocating for. You are a disgrace!

Again you fail to see because the veil has not been pulle away from your eyes. Your government is lying to you and you are buying it hook line and stinker. YOU need to know the facts and quit just reporting what the administration wants to put out. READ THE DAMN BILL and see that you are being duped, unless you are too ignorant to get the real jist of waht all thast garbage says.
tom

How can you support this health care reform.

The claim is made that Medicare will be cut.

That is rationing to seniors.

You do not represent our interests.

I and my husband are canceling our membership.

Sincerely,

Karen J. Rusch

As you said, there is much confusion. A few days ago I saw an ad that basically seemed to say - disregard what the people who are so upset are saying. It said we NEED this new healthcare reform. It was one by AARP. To me this sounds as if you back what the government is trying to put through in IN ITS ENTIRETY. When I heard it I was very surprised that it came from AARP, since I had just heard a spokesperson for AARP saying that you as a group had not endorsed anything. So, what are we to believe? Either you agree with the reform in it's current form or you haven't decided. Which is it? Also, this does diminish AARP in our minds if you seem to be going both ways. This is too important an issue not to be ABSOLUTELY SURE where you stand. I agree that healthcare can be improved upon, but at this point I'm not sure about what is being proposed and if it is the answer. My gut feeling is NO it isn't. From reading what you wrote above, it doesn't sound as if what you have in mind is what is now being proposed. The main problem with all of this is not the people speaking up, but the fact THAT THOSE IN CHARGE OF PASSING THIS BILL OR NOT PASSING IT HAVE NOT READ IT ENTIRELY AND ARE NOT COMPLETELY SURE WHAT IT ENTAILS. IF THOSE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE, THEN HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE BE EXPECTED TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW FOR SURE????? Again, we seem to be getting opposing responses from AARP. We need one answer and only that one. Either you are in favor or you are not. Either you are in favor of the bill as it stands or with some changes. Either way, everything that comes out of AARP HAS TO REMAIN CONSTANT. This could be the reason you are losing members. I would appreciate a response because it is important to me to know exactly where AARP stands. I would appreciate a phone number so that I can call and talk with an individual and maybe answer some of my questions that way. Thanks for your help.

I am one of your younger members, being 53 years old and saw on TV this morning that people were cancelling their AARP membership based on your stance on health care reform. I was under the impression that AARP has not made an endorsement one way or the other and I thought this must be why people are cancelling. Fortunately, I went online and found out that people are cancelling because they see the AARP as showing support for it. I am vehemently for health care reform and the public option. I hope that when there is a more definitive proposal that AARP will support it at that time, although I am somewhat disappointed that you haven't done so already. Please continue to try to dispel the lies that the proponents against it are putting out to the general public and the elderly in particular. Thank you.

How dare you use the AARP name to support the Obama health plan without polling all of your members. You represent all of your members not just the Democrat members. I do not appreciate you supporting any political party as you have done in the past. Your members are from both parties so keep your mouth shut and see what we want. I do not like our President saying that the AARP "that is me" supports his plan, I do not and I doubt that the majority of the AARP members support him, or his plan.
Mr. Rand: You need to be replaced.

I currently have AARP/MedicareComplete from SecureHorizons.

Will the proposed health care reform, as it stands today, eliminate, increase the cost of, or in any way result in my not having the coverage I enjoy with my current plan?

Over the past year I have had several tests done for a health challenge that required tests that my insurance paid for (with a reasonable co-pay), but I was told would NOT be covered if I had a regular Medicare plan.

Over the years I have had GREAT success with complimentary medicine (acupuncture, chiropractic, water exercise, massage, yoga, meditation, guided imagery, art therapy, etc.). I hope that AARP will continue to support preventative and complimentary healthcare in this new legislation.

I WILL be disappointed if the Public Healthcare is not made available to so many of our citizens who can not afford medical services because their insurance company refused coverage or the co-pay is outrageously high.

"Taking the Stigma out of Foreclosure" is a study done at the University of Illinois Extension by Susan Taylor. It's worth the read. It's sad that people are ending up in foreclosure of their homes because of the high cost of needed medical services.

Maryann Hamilton

Risk management by insurance companies is not discrimation , its the very basis of how insurance works.
Covering pre-existers, as you desire Barry, converts insurance into WELFARE. It is no longer insurance.

You cannot buy insurance AFTER your home burns down.
Likewise trying to buy insurance AFTER you've been diagnosed is WELFARE, not insurance.
Be honest Barry, by blurring this distinction , & using emotive words like "discrimination" you are using artful verbal trickery to advance your social agenda.

Barry you are smart enough to know, that if insurers HAD to cover pre-existers, THEN premiums would SKYROCKET for the rest of us.
Insurance would be even LESS affordable.
This would of course leave the door open , for a stealthy government takeover of the industry.
This deception is the wiley Obama goal.
This is why no -one trusts this prez anymore..

This door is the government coop/option, where bill language can be changed in the middle of the night to convert "reform" into nationalization of medicine, which can only lead -by sheer economic necessity --to one big government run HMO

...... Be trusted Barry, AARP needs your integrity.

I am so happy that we are working on this issue, now. I am only 60 and have a few meds, but I find I am having to go to the doctor more these days. Knowing what I am dealing with and what it could be down the road has me a bit nervous. As my health gets worse and my meds get stronger I hope to be able to afford my health care.
I feel the health reform for us is very important at this time. I am the youngest of three. My sister at 64 has no insurance. My brother died unexpectedly earlier this year at age 62. He also did not have insurance. I will be 61 later this year. My sisters teeth are rotting out of her head. My brothers were bad and yes mine are bad as well. I have medicare part A, B and D. But I don't have dental. I have a dental clinic here, but it is still very expensive.
My hopes on Health Reform are dwindeling. When I hear about all the angry people in the town meetings and people not wanting to even hear about reform, I'm scared. I know the way things are heading now will price me out of getting help down the road.
When AARP stands up for us on Health Reform, I have hope. You are keeping all the irrelivant issues out of the picture. I feel some what safer knowing you are thinking of me and everyone else. Keep up the good work. I will continue to do my part and send letters and make calls. My hopes are up knowing that you are fighting for us. Bless you.

If you continue to support this healthcare legislation, myself and my wife will drop our memberships. Doing nothing is an option, especially when the alternative is the massive, out of control bill currently with the House. You want to do something worthwhile? How about pushing for tort reform and getting the government regulations off the insurers. Let the free market do what it does best.

AARP must not agree to anything this socialistic administration is trying to ram down the throats of all american citizens. I agree that some changes are needed but the current administration is treating senior citizens as second class citizens.

If AARP continues to agree in any form whatsoever, I will resign my membership in this organization.

Could you please enlighten me about the lies that are being spread about rationed care and end of life decisions? Do the things being spread on talk radio and cable news have any basis in fact or are they just being used as scare tactics? Does AARP support a public health option? Since I am a new member, and trying to become better educated on the various health care reform proposals in congress, I would also like to know if AARP (either as an organization or individual board members) donate to either political party? Thank you in advance for helping me to become better educated on an incredibly important issue!

B.S. Have you actually read the bill? How can you guarantee anything? How can AARP support something of which it knows nothing about?

Just as a f.y.i. make that 60,001 that will be cancelling their aarp members.

AARP should not take a position, one way or the other. The only thing AARP should do is to present the FACTS of the 1,018 Page Healthcare Reform Bill to its members in a bullet type format so that every member will understand the FACTS and exactly what the bill says.

Then it is up to the individual member to accept or reject the Healthcare Reform Bill.

I for one do not want the Government to run healthcare in this Country, this Country is not Socialist it is a Democracy. Veterans gave their lives to defend FREEDOM and having the Government tells us what we can and can not do with our Healthcare is not Freedom it is Socialism.

Socialized Medicine doesn't work in Canada, I have a friend who lives there and it just doesn't work, no freebies, otherwise all the freeloaders will clog up the Emergency Rooms with their sorry butts and the people who need care will not be able to get it.

We should scrap this Bill. Let's start over again. This time place limits on the hospitals, insurance companies, doctors, and drug companies. GREED is what is killing this Country, just plan old GREED, they all say "Give Me MORE Money" Let's crub the GREED and healthcare will take care of itself.

Mr Rand,

You are assuming that because your organization is still 40 million members strong, that they all agree with your support of the health care bill; that's a very conseited opinion. I would tend to believe that the reason most people belong to your organization is the discounts they receive. If you were TRUELY interested in how your members feel about the socialized health bill with a one payer system, you would do a survey, rather then choose to believe they all agree with your opinion, and flaunt your perceived power.

We understand that Obama wants to end Medicare Advantage.
Is that a myth also? We have Secure Horizons and it was hard
enough to get a doctor to take us even with Secure Horizons.
The doctors we had with our employment insurance would no
longer consider taking us when we retired using medicare.

Unfortunately we do not trust AARP any longer and consider
you as Obama supporters, not retired supporters.

I am saddened to hear you endorsed the obamacare. This is NOT good for senior citizens. It opens the door to complete control of our lives (called socilism) and our legislators and obama lie to us about this plan. The only exceptable plan at this time is one that does only two things: introduces tort reform that limits malpractice awards and allows health insurance to be sold across state lines. Anything more is a grab for control of our lives and country.

If I don't see a modifiction of your endoresment within one week then my wife and I will resign from the AARP.

You have to far toward the left to represent us.

James Ludeman

I would like to express my strong opposition to HR 3200. It is an expensive disaster which will not achieve it's primary goals of reducing costs while increasing quality of and access to care. Part of the financing package calls for substantial cuts to Medicare. AARP should vigorously oppose this bill to protect seniors. While everyone realizes that the system needs change, a total remake of a fundamentally good system is insane. I strongly support the recommendations of John Mackey in his recent WSJ opinion article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

IF AARP DOES NOT VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE THIS BILL AND IT'S PUBLIC OPTION EMPHASIS, MY WIFE AND I WILL WILL JOIN THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS AND RESIGN FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION.

I have been a member of AARP since 1985, but I am getting very upset with the liberal leaning of AARP.
This Health Care bill (that you seem to be backing) is causing me to think that I should cancel my membership.
I expect a personal reply, if not, I will cancel, and expect a refund of the remainder of my subscription.

You are acting as judge and jury on the heath care reform legislation. Please listen to your members, I believe that any fair evaluation of what members want, would be different from AARP's position. I am a college graduate and capable of evaluating an issure. Please don't tell me that I am misinformed, maybe it is you that have the facts wrong.

Thank you.

Dave

I can't agree with your position that take us towards public health care options. Everything in our life time that has been run by our government has not been sucessful and has needed ongoing tax payer support. Please do not support any of the existing proposals that lean towards a public option. Also, the insurance companies are not necessarily our enemies, often it could be over involvment from our government.

The problelm, Barry, is we don't know what the final bill will say. Your thoghts are valid. But, will the bill do all that you ask? Depends on what the daily talking ponts are.
I am AARP Complete in California. With a public option, and payments to private heallth insurance cut, will Secure Horizons be availble?
Who knows. Be sure you read the whole bill, as reconciled by both houses before you stick your and my neck out.
I will not yet cancel my AARP membership.
Be careful what you support. Some of the legislators do not have our best interests at heart.
Watch what they do.
Respectully
Tony Igar
San Diego, .Ca

I oppose reductions in Medicare, but strongly endorse dramatic reductions in waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare / Medicaid system. Medicare / Medicaid are federal programs, and until the government cleans up what it now controls, I can't support increased federal involvement or the Public Options being proposed. Congress seems to have little interest in this approach. The "Clean up" seems to me a logical and fiscally responsible first step before expending more tax dollars on health care reform.

Your support for:
Lower Drug Costs and Strengthen Medicare
Protect Your Health Care Choices
End Discrimination by Insurance Companies
Guarantee Stable, Affordable Coverage
Are admirable objectives

AARP support for any House, Senate or joint bill with added Public Options will result in my withdrawal of suopport for AARP.

I am a RN at one of the largest hospitals in the Southeast. If the Obama Healthcare reform passes there will be a significant decline in options as far as treatment for senoir citizens. The RN an MD shortage will increase as there will be caps on salaries. Our taxes will be at an all time high as never imagined before to pay for healthcare. The government healthcare model is the disgraceful VA administration and all their staff and facilities, a perfect example of what to expect if the government runs our healthcare system. Without private insurance research will be decreased, healthcare options will be decreased, quality of healthcare providers will decrease, but taxes will 100% guarantee increase. AARP's decision to support a bill that is so flawed, and support a President and congress that would rush a bill through so no one would realize what is in it is a very bad move. I am going to talk with my parents who are current members, tell them the truth about AARP(they probably already know) and encourage them to stop their membership. I think by voicing your view on this subject was a good idea, so that people do know where AARP stands and they can cancel memberships. I will certainly express this to all that may be involved with your plan friends, family, people in the hospital, I will refer them to your website so they can read your beliefs. Healthcare is not free, it will never be free, there will always be a price, but it does not have to be at the expense of peoples health. I like my insurance plan, if the bill passes I will lose this plan, how do I know? because my company, on top of paying a huge amount for my healthcare coverage would pay a tax for insuring me , as will all companies that offer private insurance. So if they go with the government plan they will then only have to pay the government for a percentage for me to go on the government plan minus the tax. It's simple but very sneaky, and they were hoping no one would nice this, one of many things in the Healthcare reform proposal. I agree there needs to be improvement, but a government healthcare reform? really?? It will be the beginning of taxing the American people to the point that what they were paying for their private insurance would have been a great deal! The supporters of this Healthcare reform will be kicking themselves, not only for the poor outcome of their care but how much they are going to pay.Can you imagine the guilt of people who wanted this reform when they stop research and treatments that save not only save lives of newborns but the lives of friends and families. Nobody wants this, change does not have to include this. There is a better way. Insurance companies are working on hundreds if not thousands of other options for the 35 million people that are not insured,the other 70% are insured and happy with their plan by the way. Also I believe some cleaning up of Medicaid abuse and fraud, stricter guidelines for welfare , could mean more funding for a government option for uninsured people. Where I work on a unit for major open heart surgeries, with some of the best surgeons in this country, they perform surgery everyday on uninsured, even illegals with no questions asked, everyone is treated the same. I do not want to see that go away, I do not want to see patients dying on a waiting list. I do not want to see good Doctors and Nurses and future students turning away from Healthcare if the government takes over.I dont think the whole country has to submit to this reform because a fraction does not have insurance.

Please remove my name from your list of AARP members. Do not send me anything ever again.

You do not stand with those on Medicare if you support the Obama plan. You can deny it all you want, thinking that seniors are stupid. Stupid we are not.

So long, AARP.

I think that any attempt at health care reform MUST start with tort reform. Malpractice insurance for health care professionals must be affordable and they should not be influenced to order tests or procedures that may have marginal value, only to protect themselves from frivilous law suits. I realize that this will probably be difficult if not impossible to obtain given that a large percentage of those who put together that 1018 page HR3200 document are, indeed, lawyers!

As it stands, ObamaCare, along with Amtrak, USPS, and the National Do-Not-Call List are all federal failures!

No to government healthcare.You are nothing ,but a puppet for the liberal democrat.You believe in Soicalism.Obama is a socialist and marxist,and you are kissing obama ass..The US Government can`t even run the VA Healthcare.Wake-up before it to late.

James M.Hart

What is the AARP position on President Obama's health plan? My AARP number is 064937405 5. Thanks

Roger York

I am against healthcare reform that offers a public policy, healthcare for illegal immigrants, forced coverage to anyone, any funding of abortions, any cuts in services offered...I like my health insurance and I like medicare and its associated parts and coverages. If you plan on using my money to support things that I am against, I will be forced to terminate my membership

Whatever we do about changing some aspects of our health
care program lets work on a savings program. Once we make
all the savings possible then we can work on improving our
health one item at a time. Lets have plenty of debate on each
item before we pass anything. Then once we know the cost
lets cover it with tax increases over most all americans. In all
cases each improvement must be deficit neutral.

Mr. Rand---

You are just another Liberal Democrat disguising himself as a moderate and advocate for the retired citizens of the U.S.
I chose my profession with one thing in mind, I will have health care of my choice for life. Now B.O. wants to tell me I will not have the health care I worked 30 years to achieve?
If I can't have the health care I choose, I want the Health Care system Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer and B.O. use.
It must be pretty good since the do not want to implement new Single Person Health Care system for Congress.

AARP is a Scam

No, Barry. Rationed care is not a myth. The myth is your blind faith that a government run system will be full of options. That is your own personal Obama-euphoria blind faith myth. In every country on earth with government run health care, it is rationed. That is just how it is. Wake up from your Obama delusion. It was nice last year having that religious experience of a Messianic politican, but reality is sinking in now. Don't sacrifice the welfare of all those senior citizens over your blind faith that somehow with a government run system, senior citizens will not have rationed care. Wake up. Obama has blinded you.

No, Barry. Rationed care is not a myth. The myth is your blind faith that a government run system will be full of options. That is your own personal Obama-euphoria blind faith myth. In every country on earth with government run health care, it is rationed. That is just how it is. Wake up from your Obama delusion. It was nice last year having that religious experience of a Messianic politican, but reality is sinking in now. Don't sacrifice the welfare of all those senior citizens over your blind faith that somehow with a government run system, senior citizens will not have rationed care. Wake up. Obama has blinded you.

My concern is about millions of dollars of cuts in Medicare. If it's true that these cuts will be made, what is AARP's opinion about it? This is one of the hot buttons around here.

I AM AGAINST THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE PLAN!!

I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER FOR OVER 20 YEARS, BUT WILL QUIT AARP IF YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PLAN

Mr. Bonds, your open letter to AARP has a kind and gentle sound, yet the reality sounds far more like it came from the White House talking points. As a long standing member of AARP I am keenly disappointed in what you and your policy experts have been publicly stating. While I recognize your political tendencies lean far to the left, that is quite distinct from what the majority of your members respect. The primary effort at least for AARP would best be to have medicare insurance available without further government intervention. As you probably know, Medicare currently only pays approximately 93% of actual costs incurred by health providers. To make that system available to another 46 million would simply create greater economic costs without expanded capability of service, which must result in diminished (eg. rationed) care. Is there a need for systematic overhaul? Yes, however the primary issues should be:tort reform, expanded ability to purchase private insurance beyond current geographic boundaries, and appropriate compensation to providers for medical outcomes rather than simply services. Technological innovations will help the need for more effective communication, yet hardly is a cost containment step as ably demonstrated by the CBO. Mr. Bonds, I would encourage you to listen to your membership. Essentially we are outraged.

It would be my guess that AARP is collecting names of those of us opposing the liberal, socialistic plan being proposed for healthcare. Fine, do what you must for the "President" but be certain you cancel my membership. Your position for years was that you represent seniors, you obviously do not when you side with the liberal position and that is what you did when you provided the location for "President"

God Bless America and forgive you.

Talking with AARP is like talking to my congresswoman, the staff listens but does not hear. The above talking points sound just like the talking points I hear from the President. I hear what you support about health care "Reform". What about the other issues that should be addressed such as; Cost, Illegals, Tort Reform and Shortage of doctors and nurses.
It appears that the "Independent Board of Directors" slant to the Left and that the board does not reflect the Membership.
I have just renewed my membership and I am wondering
now just why I did!

PS: I get my news from Fox because it is the only place I can hear two sides of an issue and make up my on mind and not just what someone wants me to hear or know.

I'm ending my membership as soon as it expires. Mr. Rand is a black man and at this point I feel he will support President Obama no matter what Obama wants as far as health care. He has already demonstrated that by his past support of Obama, he is NOT supporting his constitutes. He is supporting his main man Obama. He doesn't even know or care what AARP members want. I didn't get any questionaire as to my support of Obamacare. Maybe it was lost in the mail?

I do not want any replies to this comment. I just want to terminate my membership when it expires. When AARP gets a CEO who supports his/her constitutes, I may become a member again. And then, maybe not! Until then, I want AARP to leave me alone and do NOT send me any literature or replies to this email.

In my opinion, this IS a big deal!!

Thank you.

John J. Simpson

Don't belive this. AARP is talking out of both sides of their mouth. See this "representative" who doesn't even have the courtesy to listen to the people who pay her salary, us members.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/17/eveningnews/main5247916.shtml

This biasis bullsh** and I do not appreciate my dues going to pay for A Barry Rand personal beliefs. This is an organization not a corporation. Mr Rand follow the members or get out .

I am emphatically opposed to the speed and manner in which the President and the Congress are attempting to push through health care reform. I am also distrurbed by the apparent cooperation between AARP and those trying to rush something into law. You should be clearly protecting the interests of your members against rushed legislation, espcecially of such an enormous magnitude. You don't appear to be listening to us.

The biggest problem that I, family members, friends, and neighbors of all political persuasions are having is that we are pretty happy with our medical care system and resent apparent efforts to destroy and replace it. About 85% if all americans are pretty satisfied with what they have. Only 15% may have issues. Everyone I know is willing to consider changes to those things that clearly should and can be changed. Nobody I know wants to make wholesale, major changes on the scale being proposed. And absolutely nobody wants the government to come anywhere near control of it.

One of the biggest problems for cost of health care is law suits. As you know, physicians, clinics, hospitals, and suppliers pay enormous premiums for liability insurance. This are needs fixing. Neither AARP nor anyone in government is breathing a word about it. That would fix many of the problems being cited with the cost of health care. Take a stand!

I am about ready to cancel my membership along many others I have spoken with this past week. Unless AARP listens more closely to what average citizens are saying, and changes it's position with regard to support of health care legislation, you will be seeing and increasing number of membership cancellations, including my own.

Who are you trying to kid? You people don't listen to your members. You are publicly saying a minority of your members opposes nationalized health care when in reality a big majority opposes it. Just as you didn't listen to your members regarding personal savings accounts in social security. To say you haven't endorsed the plan is a fabrication also. You held a supposed "town hall" meeting to discuss the health plan and it was nothing but an infomercial for Barrack Obama and his plan.

Sorry guy, but I see you losing alot more of your membership..You seem to have become a mouthpiece for the liberal left, and you will not be getting any membership dues from me, and a million more like me..

What crap! Can't you do better than this to explain your selling out to the beltway crowd. AARP is useless.

If the AARP supports any legislation that expands the federal government's role in providing or managing health care OR funds healthcare for illegal immigrants my wife and I will resign our AARP memberships. One must assume that President Obama said that the AARP was supporting his health care reform program because the AARP had already agreed to support it.

The positions the AARP supports as stated in this article are appropriate. The AARP should also support tort reform related to medical malpractice, medicare fraud elimination, multi-state insurance competition and legislation that would limit illegal immigration, limit chain immigration and illiminate automatic citizenship for babies born to illegal immigrants in the US.

From government forced wage controls during WWII that introduced health insurance by employers to entice workers, to government regulation of the insurance industry including restricting how they compete and what coverage they offer, in every problem with our current system, the heavy hand of government is there. This is the nature of government, to “solve” the problems created by their previous “solutions”.

That other alternatives including market reforms are not being considered, says it all. The government’s plan to “reform” the health care industry is nothing more than a collossal power grab to gain control over individuals and the economy.

Forget the hype over the “death panel” discussion. Forget the perceived evils of the health insurance industry. These are distractions. What is important to remember are the following points:

1. There is no reasonable argument in favor of government run health “care”. Compare a government plan that would cost and add trillions to the deficit and return inferior care to a reformed market that would add nothing to the deficit, would lower costs making care more accessible and affordable, and would maintain the high quality we enjoy today.

We simply cannot afford a government “solution”. And make no mistake, everyone would eventually be forced into it.

2. There is no reasonable argument in favor of this kind of government intrusion into our private lives.

Do we want to live in a free country or not? Do we really want to sell our children’s liberty for a parasite society? Once we allow this into our lives, we lose our autonomy and will be owned by the government either as the slaves that toil to pay for it or as parasites trapped by it.

3. Those who are attempting to foist this monstrosity upon us have exempted themselves from it. They won’t be waiting in line. They won’t be denied treatment or medication. No, those “benefits” are reserved for the rest of us. In fact, when one legislator was asked why he wouldn’t live under this plan, he said he wouldn’t want to harm his family. And remember, we all pay for his health insurance.

Those of us who are against any form of government health care are advocating reform. We want health care to be accessible and affordable for all – rich and poor. Excellent, cost-effective alternatives are being offered but they are being ignored. Government interference in this effort is the perfect example of what not to do. We’ve seen it it action – it doesn’t work and if we allow it, we’ll spend the rest of our lives and those of our children’s regretting it.

We don’t need the AARP to advocate for us. Please make your voices heard. Email, fax, call, snailmail your representatives as much as you can. Go to the Townhall meetings. We have only one chance to get this right.

Respectfully,

Lynn
Washington State

Saw this in an email today. So true. it's a real shame AARP is supporting this costly program. ...

Let me get this straight.

Obama's health care plan will be written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it,
passed by a Congress that hasn't read it,
signed by a president who smokes,
funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes,
overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and
financed by a country that is nearly broke.

What possibly could go wrong?

AARP sounds like a government annex, don't count me in.

I have been a loyal supporter of AARP and fan of AARP Magazine since 1998. However, in spite of AARP’s most recent “damage control” advertising blitz to convince the American public that they are a “middle of the road” organization, it has become apparent to me in the last couple of years that AARP is a much more liberal organization than I ever want to be affiliated with.

Liberals have taken over the White House and Washington. Socialism is rampant. Corporations are being nationalized. Indeed, even the very moral fiber of our nation is in fast decay. These liberals are taking actions to “spread the wealth” of our country’s hard-working people so benefits and services for slackers, malcontents, bums and illegal aliens can be increased. Overall, there is no doubt in my mind that AARP is supporting the liberals and their socialist agenda including ObamCare.

Therefore, I am dropping my membership to AARP and my subscription to AARP Magazine effective today. Please do not send me anymore AARP literature and remove my name from your membership roll.

Joseph McCall

While many of the people on your forum want to cancel their membership .. for the first time I am joining AARP due to your common sense and long term view points on healthcare. I am very pleased to see that you are not taking the short term political view. AARP fully understands what is good for those of us who are older, but also what is good for future generations. Our children and grandchildren deserve to have us stand behind this bill and end the selfish, self centered approach that got us into this mess in the first place! Thank you AARP! I am signing up today!

Please do not take my continued membership in AARP as agreement with your position of supporting Obama and his view of Heath Plan Reform.
I DO NOT AGREE WITH WHAT OBAMA WANTS TO DO and I DO NOT AGREE WITH AARPs POSITION.

While parts of our current health industry need reform, the entire industry does not. Those of us who have planned and choose to utilize the existing programs and purchase private insurance do get care. I do not agree with leveling the playing field by taking away from those of us who have made good choices to give to those who have chosen not to provide themselves health care.
Obama refuses accept that some of his 47mill uninsured choose to be uninsured, or still will not be eligible for reasons under their own control. Don't make that my problem.

I don't think The AARp should be supporting this Government health care. Government whether state or federal only makes it expensive and lowers the quality. If you want heathcare to be good. Get to work and earn it. You as an organization should listen to your members and back out now before you lose your relevence.

I am 55, and have been considering AARP membership for a few years. Because of AARP's backing of the Obama Healthscare Plan, I have no intensions of ever joining AARP. After reading the other comments, perhaps AARP should listen to its Senior Citizen consituency.

I do not believe that the Obama Administration has a true interest in the healthcare of Senior Citizens, just in reducing costs (benefits) and pushing their own social agendas.

I was looking forward to joining AARP in a few months when I became a "GoldenAger", but changed my mind when I reviewed your stance and support for Obama's healthcare plan. Does anyone know of another group out there that is a better representation for our group?

When our esteemed AARP Director, Mr. Rand can donate thousands of dollars to the Obama campaign, one has to wonder how non-partisan he can be.
Today the report comes out showing the FDC is now bankrupt and no one in Congress is screaming to stop the spending and waste of pushing a Cap and Trade Bill that will further squash small business and in the end, hurt the middle class?
If the House Health care plan will be passed with their new idea of a state run co-op plan with AARP's support, lets ask the tough question: "How will that benefit AARP directors and their mission, their insider deals with certain insurance companies that are allowed to offer AARP members their services? Who really benefits?

I am concerned about a statement the President made a few days ago.

I am greatly concerned by the President's insistence on doing away with Medicare Advantage plans. In Montana, he called them a subsidy to the insurance companies. They are not. They are in fact, if anything, a subsidy to seniors.

My wife and I are on an Advantage plan. If that is taken away from us, we will have to purchase a Medicare supplement plan and separate drug plan. Last time we had those the total cost was about $270 a month. That is about nine times the cost to us of our Advantage plan.

To be candid, we simply could not afford it. I am disappointed AARP is not fighting this proposal.

Please know that all of your members are not retired on fixed incomes. My husband may be 51, but still actively working to support our 3 children.

One child required many operations - where, when & by whom we choose. Another sees a kidney specialist frequently. We like our healthcare plan - not perfect but provides options. We went to college to have careers so that we could provide for our children.

WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THE DEMOCRATC & OBAMA PLAN.

Your organization in very unresponsive to its members. We are very disappointed.

We plan to cancel our membership also. Remember my husband is 51, I am 43. Just think of the years of dues your company is missing by not serving its membership.

Healthcare is NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT! Of the 12 million who cannot actually afford/qualify for insurance, they get state & federal care already! Our church provides locally as do others.

It should be my moral choice to help others - not a tax obligation.

I disagree with A Barry Rand statement concerning the so call myths and lies. As a former Hospital Administrator, I can assure you GOVERNMENT will continue to limit health care to individuals.
I am not sure how you AARP represent the membership when it fails to ask for our opinion.

I am cancelling my membership!! You people are as slippery and evasive as Obama is!!

My wife and I strongly OPPOSE What Obama is trying to do with health care. Your organization is WRONG to support him.
Declaring AARP has not endorsed his plan is BS.

Was considering joining as travel benefits are helpful, however your health care position is opposite of mine. sorry

Looks as if you haven't convinced most of us that you are on our side and not Obama's. Government run anything is never good.

i strongly oppose a government run plan.

i strongly oppose any new plan if the congress and the executive branch are exempted. the cooks should eat what they prepare.

i have counted on AARP for years to do more homework than they have done before supporting such a "left leaning" and complex plan.

if AARP support for a government run plan continues i will certainly give up my membership.

Good Day.

I will be withdrawing my membership from AARP, and will never renew, based on the AARP's politically motivated support for what will be a disatrous effort that will both ruin our economy AND reduce the quality of health care for all.

We will NOT have choice. Employers will be strongly motivated for economic reasons to eliminate or greatly reduce their health care insurance offerings, thereby forcing a single payer system by default.

That is simply the way it will be. And you know it.

The President is lying when he says he has no intention of going government option only. It may not be in the language of the various bills, but he knows perfectly well what the end game will be. That he is being dishonest is troubling, and that this organization supports this is disgusting.

This position dooms my children and grandchildren to an economic burden beyond all reckoning.

I hear often that 'doing nothing is not an option.' The opponents to the plan are NOT suggesting doing nothing, and for you, Obama, and others to suggest that is what their stance is is dishonest at best.

They are saying that THIS particular plan is a disaster of immense proportions in the making. They are correct. THEIR option is to get all to sit down, and do this right. Not just do something haphazard to satisfy a political expediency.

Here's the analogy. We are in a burning house. We are in danger. Doing nothing is not an option.

So somebody gets the idea to throw the only liquid laying around on the fire....and it happens to be gasoline. THAT is what is happening here. The expedient train wreck we are heading for is somebody getting ready to throw gas on a fire 'because nobody has a better idea.'

Well, doing nothing might be bad enough, but doing THIS is far, far, far worse.

AARP is on its way to irrelevance.

Liar. I will NEVER join aarp. You are betraying the very people you claim to represent. Obamacare is an abomination.

Mr. Rand, You are just as phony as i thought you were. Your myth explanations are so full of holes it's not funny. You people are so far left it is a wonder you don't tip over. Has the AARP ever heard of honesty?? I just renewed, but unless you people start to really support the seniors , it will be the last time.

I am 40 years old and have just recently had to move my parents in with my family and I due to the state of the economy and the very expensive health care they have to pay. Even with Medicare , all the part A,B,C,D,E,F...etc..and Social Security they are not able to make ends meet. I am sure that they are not alone in this. While I agree that health care needs an overhaul it is a bit concerning to see an association like AARP so quickly use membership money to produce ads that are pro government health care. My understanding was AARP works as a NonGovernment organization for the betterment of the seniors. With the Obama plan Medicare will be cut by trillions. How can AARP support that? After the Obama plan is in place there will be no way to turn back. Million and millions of hard working senior adults will be made to wait for the health care they deserve. Look at the state of the VA health system which is run by the government. Look how poorly run it is and how the men and women who fought for this country are put in to hospitals that are falling down around them. How can we trust the government with the entire countries health care when they can't run the VA properly. Go a head with a healcare reform package and put it into place in the VA health system. Show me that you can take care of these citizens and then I will trust you with the health care of my wife and children. Until government can clean up their own house I don't want them in mine.

Barry, your just another cry baby lib. Good by to you and your organization.

AARP at it again. These are the identical four points I just listened to Robert Gibbs espouse in the press conference. I guess AARP CEO got them prior to the press conference. FOR ALL OF YOU STILL WONDERING IF AARP ENDORSES THE OBAMA PLAN, PLEASE HOW MUCH MORE OBVIOUS CAN IT GET?

AND, THERE IS A CONSERVATIVE OPTION FOR SENIORS NOW.
Check out AMERICAN SENIORS ASSOCIATION AT www.americanseniors.org.

Also, nice try AARP to keep opposing comments down by putting the comment section at end of all responses!

Barry, your just another cry baby lib. Good by to you and your organization.

Barry, your just another cry baby lib. Good by to you and your organization.

Can't believe this organization is behind this! This is not about "getting the facts across", this IS a gov. takeover that MUST be stopped. I along with many others here in CA are completeley outraged that they are trying to get this passed so quickly. Those who are for this have no idea what this plan even covers its over 1,000 pages. What an insult to a democracy.

Cancel my membership for good....

Thank you so very much for backing Health Care Reform. I AM GETTING A MEMBERSHIP TO AARP!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not let the misperceptions people have turn your support to not backing health care reform. I thank you for your stand and I am with you Mr. Rand!!!!

Thank you, AARP. You speak for me and I'm glad I'm a member.

Regardless of what is said as the reason(s) for advancing the idea of Healthcare Reform, Obamacare is aimed mainly at cutting benefits to the elderly.

They don't have the courage to say it outright, so it is wrapped and double wrapped in multiple ways: citing the number of uninsured, citing pre-existing conditions, citing the donut Rx problem, etc. While all of these are important issues, the one thing that is going to break the Federal Government is the rising costs of Medicare. And so, under the guise of all these other important issues, the government is trying to open the way to cutting benefits to the elderly.

AAPR does not seem to understand this.

AARP must categorically oppose Obamacare.

AARP should support specific solutions for specific problems, and not this sweeping power grab of the Federal government over all aspects of our life through healthcare.

C. K. Khury

I didn't think AARP was endorsing Obama's plan to socialize the American medical system until I saw the commercial on TV. It sounded like it was written by the White House and as they do, called anyone who disagreed with the President un-American. Now I read the message (above) from our new CEO and again it sounds like AARP is supporting the Obama (lack of) health care bill.

Before you jumped into this with both feet, you should have taken a poll of your membership to see if they wanted their dollars (NOT YOUR's) sponsoring a bill that will harm older Americans which is your membership.

I will be resigning my (and my wife's) membership in AARP and expecting a refund of the balance of my 5 year dues, as my sister and her husband and the rest of family has already done.

You are following in Obama's footsteps.......he is ruining this country and you, sir, are ruining this organization.

I sincerely hope every member follows the example of those who have voiced their opinion here and quits this (now) liberal organization.

If AARP is supporting Obama's health care plan, then please cancel my membership. Socialism will lead to failure of health care. Look at Canada and Europe.

Mr. Rand:

I have received yet another in what appears to be an unending deluge of enticements for me to rejoin AARP. First and foremost, I am going to give you an opportunity to save some money by removing me from your mailing list.

The reason I gave up my membership is quite simple; your organization is nothing more than a propaganda machine for the left in this country, and quite frankly you are being misled. I have no intention of being a part of any organization that wants to destroy the country that I have worn the uniform of and watched my comrades die for.

You have all jumped on the band wagon behind an incompetent rabble rouser with absolutely no experience in governance other than 5 years as an ineffective senator in a corrupt state, and you drank his Kool-Aide.

What in God’s name makes you think for one second that he, or his henchmen know anything about running 6% of the countries GDP is beyond me; THESE IDIOTS CAN’T EVEN RUN CASH FOR CLUNKERS! Compared to the nations healthcare system this is like running a lemonade stand compared to running Pepsi Co. Wake up.

I have listened to that moron you have had on the Sunday talk shows, and that is an example of the leadership at AARP, count me out.

In case you haven’t noticed, your membership is bailing out by the hundreds every week. Now why do you suppose that is? By endorsing the “Obamacare” program, you are in effect throwing every senior in this country under the bus.

I WILL NOT BE REJOINING YOUR ORGANIZATION, SO STOP CLUTTERING UP MY MAIL BOX!

Sincerely
Renaire Hare

my husband and I would like to cancel. please no contact. do not send me anything else.

You can count me as another member that won't be renewing my membership. Apparently, you Mr. Rand, like the president and most of our illustrious congress men and women, have not read this bill. This is the most disastrous (right behind the Medicare Part D that you also supported) piece of legislation to come out of Washington, DC. But then, what else can be expected from AARP. (American Association of Ripoff Plunderers. And you said the Prez "GOT IT ALL WRONG."

I will not be renewing my AARP membership. I thought the award you gave to Harry Belefonta was just a fluke but now I see that AARP is run by left-wing people. You do not represent me. I will not support you.

I'm a retired Civil servant and I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Tricare. I do not support the Bills in the House or what I've heard out of the Senate. I do not support what President Obama is talking about (I do not know what he wants to do because it isn't written down anywhere). I believe his public option scheme will have the unintended consequence of putting private health insurance out of business. I also believe his scheme will further bankrupt the country and put a enormous debt on my children and grandchildren. We already have two public options medicaid and medicare which are out of control financially and do not pay docors a fair amount of money for their services. Socialized medicine is the pits. I'm entitled to VA health care but pay out of my own pockets. I had an incident lately where aI needed a new wheelchair and I had to make an appointment with a physician assistant to have her write a presription for a wheelchair (had to wait 3 weeks for that appointment, then go to the place where they order wheelchairs another appointment then when it arrived I couldn't get it until I took a class and Ive been using a wheelchair for over 30 years. We need to look at Tort reform and I don't hear anyone talking about that! OBTW that's why I had to take a class on how to use a wheelchair because some idiot was doing wheelies and hurt himself. I'm starting to think the AARP is an arm of the DNC and not looking out for us seniors! And going after Drug companies who come up with all the wonderful drugs costs money. Taking away their patents will reduce the mmoney available for research and drug testing.

If the AARP continues to support these Democratic crazies and becomes political I will have to think about not renewing my membership next year.

It appears that the new right wing mantra is "I got my insurance so the hell with everybody else". Well I believe that all Americans should have affordable health care insurance and I believe that and health care bill must contain a PUBLIC OPTION. The time to reform health care is now!

Mr. Rand, I plan tp continue my membership in AARP.

I and my wife are members of AARP. I am sickened by an extreme liberal Washington D.C. I have to keep reminding my self that it is not JUST the corrupt, evil, snakes in Washington, but it is a fat, lazy, stupid population that voted for them and put them in office.
I make no pretense of being political correct. Anytime a person can turn their T.V. on and see a man kissing another man, or a woman kissing another woman in an immoral way. Or a man marrying another man, or a woman marrying another woman, total destruction is not too far away for all of us. I believe God will do to America the same thing He did to Sodom and Gommorah in the Bible!
I would say to Mr. Rand and all of America the same thing Jonah say to Nineveh, REPENT, REPENT or you shall indeed perish!!!

Good Bye AARP, Good Bye Mr. Obama, Good Bye America
we will all be totally destroyed because of your ignorance.

If AARP is for Government run health care, then I will no longer be a member. More government is not what we need. Obama is doing a fast-push on this program. This topic takes much debate and all citizens should have some understanding about the issue.

Why do you NOT address the 10 to 12 million Illegals that are included in the 40 odd Million your Government says are uninsured?? How about the ones that feel they do NOT want insurance?? How about the millions that do not believe in going to Doctors? How do you answer this? Tell the American Taxpayers your answer!!!!! Do we now Insurer All of Obama's World???

Dear Mr. Rand,

My wife and I rec'd the AARP petitions that you have asked us and fellow AARP members to send to some of our elected representitives urging health care reform. Although we agree that health care reform is necessary we do not agree that the Federal Gov't can manage our health care system in any meaningful way.

The Federal Gov't has mismanaged Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Post Office, the Federal budget or just about any thing else that they get their inept and dubious hands on. As soon as the Gov't straightens out these bankrupt programs will we consider some involvement of the Gov't in our health care solutions. We as a nation cannot afford the Federal Gov't running our health care.

Nothing in the bills offered by the Gov't todate includes Tort reform which is a major problem that is driving health care costs out the roof. Frivolous law suits cost the medical profession billions of dollars every year and those costs are passed on to the general public. There are many other things that can be done to reform health care such as allowing more competition between various private health care insurance providers.

My wife and I are happy with our private health care providers and do not wish to change our health care situation. We urge you to change your petitition to press for a nongov't solution to the health care problems that our country faces at this time. We believe that a "public option" will eventually lead to a single provider i.e. the Federal Gov't which will be a distaster for this great nation. The Gov't has demonstrated their incompetence over and over again and now you want to include another 1/6 of our economy to this broken system??

I am a veteran who proudly fought for the freedoms that I see are rapidly disappearing as the Federal Gov't takes over more and more of our lives. Please rework your petition to stress a nongov't solution to our health care problems. If the gov't health care bill passes with your help we will definitely cancel our AARP membership.

Please refund my AARP membership fees through May 2013. Barry Rand is NOT looking out for the best interests of the membership, only for supporting his candidate. How dare he promote his beliefs under the umbrella of AARP. Please.

Thank you for supporting reform for health insurance!!!!! Why must America continue to be the backwater country in this? We should be the leader in health insurance and guaranteeing that all of our citizens have access to quality health care. The only way to ensure that is for the government to care for its citizens enough to make sure we have the health care we need. The private companies certainly not going to help - the profit motive is far too strong for them to act in a humane and caring way. Thank you.

We do not want you to support a single payer plan ie. a US govmt controlled plan ie. public plan. From you public comments we don't know where you stand on this.

From reading the comments it sure looks like AARP should pole their members and go with the majority decision

If AARP continues with their support of the Obama plan, I will be canceling my membership

I am currently a Member of AARP
I Currently have Life insurance thru ARP
THAT SAID
I need one question answered
DO YOU AS A ORGINIZATION Support the plan the administration has put to the public.

There needs to be some reform but let it be for those that have NO INSUREANCE not those of us that are happy with the current system

IF YOU ENDORSE the administrations plan I will be termininating both my Insurance with you and my membership

Don Arnold
Pascagoula Ms

Please cancel my membership. Your ads supporting obamacare were the last straw. Have you even read the Bill?
HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS..... the bottome line? IF YOU ARE NOT FOR US, YOU ARE AGAINST US.
• Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
• Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
• Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)
• Page 42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
• Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.
• Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
• Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
• Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)
• Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.
• Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)
• Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens
• Page 95 : The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.
• Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.
• Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.
• Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
• Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives.
• Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families.
• Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll
• Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll
• Page 167: Any individual who doesn’t' have acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
• Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay for them).
• Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Health care Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.
• Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." Yes, it really says that.
• Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected."
• Page 241: Doctors: no matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!)
• Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional judgment, etc.
• Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries.
• Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.
• Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!
• Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.
• Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government.
• Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in healthcare companies!
• Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval.
;• Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.
• Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing.
• Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.
• Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals.
• Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone).
• Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
• Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.
• Page 425: Government provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death.
• Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends.
• Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
• Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.
• Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
• Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.
• Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage.
• Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services

We are so irritated with AARP. Most of our friends have already dropped their membership and we will join them. Why is AARP backing the Obama Health Care Plan? When I called AARP to ask this question, I was put on hold and then cut off. AARP is no longer working for the Elderly. AARP has become much too liberal. I have seen representatives from AARP talking in support of the plan. I am cancelling my membership from AARP, and will urge my family and friends to cancel also. You are not backing the senior citizens. We know what is best for us, not the Congress, not AARP and other organizations that are pushing this health care. What is needed is tort reform, a large International Insurance Pool, fewer attorneys in Congress, more understandable legislation, and HONESTYfrom our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.
Sincerely,
Patricia Weber
Midland, TX

I do not think that AARP is adequately representing its members. In order to provide healthcare for everyone there are two options. Taxes to provide the money will need to be increased by large amounts or healthcare must be rationed. There was an excellent article in the Friday, August 14 edition of the Wall St. Journal on page A12. It indicated that there were some things, such as death panels and euthanasia were over the top. It also stated that the political and fiscal pressure to further ration Medicare would increase exponentially if government is paying for most everyone's care.
The Obama Administration is focused on the 15% that don't have health care and not the 85% that may have concerns about their present insurance. The 15% may also include a large number of illegal immigrants. My opinion is that AARP is more interested in marketing products to seniors than you are their welfare. I checked the AARP auto program against my current one and it was considerably more. I will not be renewing my membership!

You have become a pawn of Obama. You no longer represent the seniors.

I have read many of the comments here today. I agree with those who feel AARP is not being straight with the members. I have been a member for about 20 years. This is the first time I even considered dropping out. I began to get emails in SPANISH about a year ago! I complained many times to no avail. AARP DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE MEMBERS! It only cares about making huge amounts of money with its insurance products (I have many of those now) with payback form Obama!

Obama has lied so many times, that my log book is almost full. He is obviously only interested in taking from the haves and giving to the have nots. I firmly believe him though, when he has stated so many times that he wants to get to a "single payer" system. That would be the "government".

AARP is taking lessons from him on the art of deception. I no longer trust AARP either and will be switching my insurance(s) and dropping my membership. AmericanSeniors.org is looking pretty good to me - so far. At least THEY will state clearly where they stand. This is so refreshing after all of the misleading statements by Obama and AARP.

All Obama can do is blame the past, blame those with different ideas, call people racist who disagree, read from the teleprompter, yell at people while blaming people whose voices raise as right wing extremists, arrogantly proclaim that he has all of the answers and anyone who disagrees is automatically wrong...

Obama is almost single-handedly destroying our society. He bagan his campaign for this when he entered politics and due to his ability to read a teleprompter, has developed a following that is cult-like and thinks they are the only one with the brains to do anything.

I hope he fails!!!!!!

More people need to make the effort to view, read, and listen to many different sources so as to be informed. This cannot be done by only listening to the Evening News, PBS, Cable news, CSPAN, Talk Radio, Local sources, Tea Parties, Town Halls, etc. It means all of those PLUS some reading and research of different sources, and contacting congress (Obama will NOT respond). Only then, can you say you are "informed".

What is AARP's position on supporting the following legislation in regard to "Required Minimum Distributions"? The following is an excerpt from information sent to me by my retirement plan.
--------------------------------------------
Without significant support from outside interest groups such as AARP, any legislation altering current RMD regulations is unlikely to see any action in this Congress.

Legislation that would alter Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from pension plans has been introduced in both the Senate and the House. H.R. 2021, led by Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), would extend the suspension of RMD requirements through 2012. It was referred to the House Committee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Legislation from Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) would grant a waiver of RMD payments through 2010. S. 157 was referred to the Committee on Finance.

A bill to permit 2008 RMD payments to be repaid, H.R. 939, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced a bill that would increase the age when RMD payments are required to 75 from the current 70 1/2. H.R. 2637 would also extend the waiver of payments through 2010. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Rand,

You need to resign as the CEO since you are not an objective leader as proven by your support of President Obama's Health Care Reform Plan.

What does the following statement mean? This statement was sent to me by AARP when a I sumbitted a comment -"Your comment has been received and held for approval by the blog owner."

I submitted a comment earlier is support of your stance on health insurance reform; then I started reading all the comments. I feel sorry for the number of people who reflect the ignorance and suspicion of our government and what it is trying to do to help all of us obtain better access to quality health care. To think that our government is looking to euthanize the elderly or 'take over' the private sector insurance companies just shows that a good education of the facts is desparately needed. Most of us AARP members have Medicare; many go to the VA for care and prescriptions. Are those programs so bad? I think they work. and work very well! Of course there are stories of bad experiences, but in general those two government run health care providers (well, Medicare is insurance, not a provider) give their members and clients excellent service. Europe and Canada (and Japan and some of the South American countries) enjoy better health care than we do, for less money, less bureaucracy, and with better results. Just do your research!! Look for unbiased sources - not Fox news or the WSJ. We need less prejudice against a man most of us voter for - he just happens to not be a white man.

Dear Mr. Rand,

I just heard from Betsy McCoy a former high ranking official from the state of New York. She says she has read the House version of the health care bill (all 1200 pages)4 times and carefully reviewed all aspects of the bill that were difficult to understand even after several times through. There are so many problems with this bill I cannot begin to cover them with you. Have you read the bill thoroughly and completely? Do you understand it? I bet few, if any, of our elected reps have read it through and completely understand it yet many, if not most, plan to vote for some form of it.

We need health care reform but to encourage the Federal Government to make the changes and run it is a huge gamble that we cannot afford to do. What makes you think the Feds can run this successfully since they have shown no ability to run anything else without bankrupting whatever they put their hands on. The Feds could not run a one car funeral successfully even if they had a police escort. I propose that you let them run AARP for a year or two and see how they miss AARP up. Then rework your policy to reflect a nongovernment health care solution.

I have trusted AARP for years please don't let people like the elders down. I will have to drop your insurance if so. But I have faith you will do the very best for your customers. You will not make any deals that will help AARP. Our citizens have really been hurting from other dishonest CEO'S thinking of them selves only. Remember you will be judged by a much higher judge then your customers some day.

AMAZING... I didn't know there were so many ignorant people in the world... in reading the comments in this forum I was amazed at the misinformation continuning to be spread - the FEAR mongering and the gross misrepresentation of the actual truth.

NO GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY! Just a PUBLIC OPTION to COMPETE with these greedy corporations - NO ONE HAS TO SWITCH TO THE PUBLIC OPTION (unless of course you want to save money!) Likely impact? Reduced premiums.

NO DEATH PANELS - geeze, will this not go away. VOLUNTEER COUNSELING for end of life (face it people - we all are going to die although most people prefer to think somehow they will be exempt!)

NO CHANGE IN MEDICARE BENEFITS! Myth.

Most of the nay-sayers here remind me of lambs to the slaughter ... feed 'em, groom 'em, move 'em down the line to the slaughter pens... then OFF WITH THEIR HEADS - want to know who's doing that to you? THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY! That's who.

Come on people, try thinking for yourself for a change. And for those of you who have health insurance and don't care about the other 50 Million who can't get it (I didn't say for free, AT ANY PRICE THEY CANNOT GET IT) - well, selfishness is not a virtue. "I've got it, the hell with you" , is that how most of you think? How about, maybe for once, thinking about people who don't have ACCESS to reasonable, decent health care - and how, if that were YOU, how you'd feel about reform then.

Given the present atmosphere, which the insurance industry has created by cherry picking FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE THAN INCREASING THEIR PROFIT MARGINS, should everyone have the RIGHT to have decent medical care and pay what they can reasonable afford but have access to the care at all levels, OR is that only for the well to do, weathly and priviledged among us?

Get real people - you are being fed a mountain of garbage by the insurance industry and they are laughing at you all the way to their mansion on the hill.

Mr. Rand:

I've only been a member for several months, but I will be cancelling my membership, as well.

Just wondering how on earth AARP thinks it a great idea for our UNITED STATES of AMERICA to have a Socialist/Government-run insurance program??? It is beyond me -- unless you ARE a socialist/marxist/left-wing radical.

The section Tackling Myths, just leaves me shaking my head! You all endorse the facts that Annenberg Public Policy Center & www.FactCheck.org say is the "truth"??? HA! As many of us know, but you obviously do not, that Barack Obama & the anarchist/communist Bill Ayers were committee members with Annenberg -- for years!

Also, you really need to research Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, top health care advisor to Obama, & his writings regarding complete lives & patient assisted suicide.

You can access two of his articles here:
http://blog.jonolan.net/politics/complete-lives-system/#comment-12167 (I do not have a link to the full PAS article.)

Then, there's John Holdren, the Science Czar, who wrote about mandatory sterilization!

These are Obama's people! And, AARP supports this administration??? 44 CZARS! 22 employees for Michelle Obama! Smashing family vehicles! Lying! Misinformation! Then, there's Barack Obama & his mentors: Frank Marshall Davis, family friend & communist; Saul Alinksy, author of Rules for Radicals; George Soros; Jeremiah Wright & more.

I used to have much respect for this organization, but you are now a major disappointment!

Good bye!
Kat Lawson

AARP, You lost this member. You never asked my opinion. I don't trust the Federal Government Social Programs. They have created a weak nation of dependents and penalize those who contribute to society.

I don't support government run programs. I don't think I will receive the Social Security I was expecting and paid into for all these years. Just provide tax relief for health care expense and most problems will go away!

My membership is being cancelled after 20 years of continuous membership with AARP. I don't agree your stand on the Obama, Govt. controlled health care plan. AARP is doing nothing for seniors. I feel that you are joining with the Washington Democrats in hopes that you may be able to sell some other insurance plan. How can you side with a group that is trying to put in place a health care plan that will cost American taxpayers billions of dollars in order to pay for health care for people that do not want to work in the first place and pay for a health care plan for illegals that should not be in this county. Sorry, I am just fed up and cancelling my membership with AARP is at least one way I can fight back with organizations that side with this Government that is totally out of control.

Our CEO should resign. If he's not smart enough to see that his members are opposed to Obamacare He also shouldn't think that he's smarter than all of us and therEfore should attempt to convince us that his brother Obama has a better plan. He should also resign do to his conflict of interest: big donations to Obama. Rand should be supporting us not his personal ties.

what benifits do i get from aarp. Do I get a discount on my auto ins? I called Hartfor to see if I would still be able to receive my auto ins. ,if I canceled my membership. They said yes. Is aarp working for me?

Please reply.

Dear Mr. Rand,
Being recent memebers of the over 50 club, my wife and I have been receiving solicitations to join AARP and were intending to do so. Your recent stand on the Obamacare initiative saved us the membership fee. We thank you for starkly illustrating that we share no common interests with your organization.
Save a tree, no need to send us any more soliciatations from organization.
A thankful non-member!

I have had enough of your political status especally concerning health care. You have revealed yourself as politically motivated in a direction that is not in my best interest therefore I will be discontnuing my membership immediately. I will not support such an organization!
Remember I am one in millions! I believe you will see more of cancellations!

I strongly disagree with AARP's position in support of any form of Obama's health care plan. In any form, Obamacare is an attempt to start the socalized health care ball rolling, so that tomorrow, or soon, we will have single payer health care. We can say goodbye to our doctors, quality medical care, and more of our freedoms. Obama has shown himself to be an idiologue and the left in this country have become only interested in power. They now want to control our lives via health care, and have shown themselves not to give a damn what we really think and care about. It's not about us; it's all about them. Nancy Pelosi's arrogance and elitism is breathtaking. I wonder how much health care she has enjoyed to maintain herself. And by the way, I have been a life long democrat. If AARP doesn't understand this clearly and stand with us seniors, then I am in the wrong organization.
May I remind you also that we seniors have more time on our hands than when we were working, and that we will work hard to remove anyone who messes with our health care. I mean going door to door to campaign against politicians. We will also remove ourselves from groups opposed to our interests. I hereby insist that my AARP membership be terminated (membership #321651096 8), and any funds owed to me be immediately returned.

PLEASE EVERYONE, UNDERSTAND, WE ALL AGREE THAT REFORM IS NEEDED, BUT NOT O'BAMA'S REFORM. so, when you make the comment that we need reform, you aren't saying anything except you want it to change and you don't CARE what it changes to. BE CAREFUL when you back up the AARP and their support of O'Bama. Once this is done, we won't ever be able to change it......remember that.

AARP has for a long period of time has been, while discreet, a politically liberal organization. I believe that is their real mission. They have displayed it with their response to this current health care debate. They should be out there defending seniors positions and points of veiw. Where are they? They do not want to make Obama mad, and they privatly support this mess.

Does anyone remember the "Don't Vote" campain during the midterm elections of Bush's 2nd term? That is when the liberal/democrats got the majority in the senate and the house by very slim margins.... why? Because AARP told you to stay home in their "Don't vote" advertising. They know older Americans tend to vote conservative. Then again in the presidential elections they had a subtle messege about checking to see which candidate had healthcare reform as their agenda (Obama) and vote for them, and now we know what that is...

Rather than bore you with my personal thoughts, I just today called the # on the back of my AARP card & cancelled my membership (about a 6-7 min wait - not bad, really). Then to get a refund for the term balance remaining, I had to REQUEST it, then was transferred to another person (3 minute wait - again, pretty quick). Both asked why, to which I replied I did not like the liberal position AARP has been taking and I do not agree with AARP's position on Obama's health care proposals. This is the only way to quit AARP, as you will NOT find a way to do so via their web site. Waiting for my next billing cycle to vent my feelings was not an option I wanted to endure.

I quit AARP today after many,many years.I will not belong to a group who's CEO is in bed with crooked politicians. When you get rid of Barry Rand,let me know and I will rejoin. Allan Barney Sr.

I will not remain a member if you plan to endorse any part of this plan. You must work against this unfair plan to take over the health care system.
For all the reasons you people are quite familar with!

It's clear that AARP no longer represents and furthers the interests of its membership.

Mr RAND,I just have one simple question.Does the AARP believe that all non- citizens have the same rights that my wife and I have concerning health insurance?A simple yes or no will do.
VALUED MEMBER SINCE 1988

I have been an AARP member since 1995. When I joined AARP, I understood that AARP was non-political. On the health care issue, it has become quite clear to me that AARP has become very political. It appears to me that AARP is more interested in supporting the Obama administration than it is in supporting the interests of retired people and seniors -- the people who pay the dues to AARP. Accordingly, I will not be renewing my membership in AARP when it comes due.

John E. Dombroski

I have been a member of AARP since 1988, as my company (now retired) signs all employees up with AARP and pays and continues to pay my dues. I frankly have trouble trusting Mr. Rand in following up on his words. I have just as much trouble trusting President Obama in meeting the objectives he says he has on health care and reform. Frankly, the government as they foot some 40+% of medical costs in this country, needs to fix what is wrong with our system. It should not undo what works and works fairly well in the medical care field. I don't know the numbers but some number north of 175 million citizens are covered by a health plan totally or partially paid for by employers. I am one of those and frankly am satisfied with the supplemental insurance to medicare paid for by my employer. Don't undo this coverage. Leave it alone. It is not broke. My coverage is not a problem. Please Mr. Rand, use your influence to keep the government's hands off my insurance and the millions of folks and their families just like mine. Take a stand and stop this silly wishy washy crap. You owe it to us.

The bill may not have specific verbage about rationing and euthanasia, but rest assured that the democratics are intent on laying the foundation for all of this including single payer system. This Bill will only be expanded upon and modified once it's in place, and if it is in place, it can not be repealed.

So what isn't in there now, will be down the road. When cost are higher than they forecasted, and they will be, they will need to cut costs and that is where the Obama advisors philiosophies of rationing to the old folks will come in to play.

Income taxes was a great idea at one time, starting out in the 7% range.. Now how much of your hard earned money is paid to the government- 40%, 50%?? The Democrats only want to increase this.. The Democrats only concern is themselves and their party.. Vote them out in 2010!

If you are considering leaving AARP, do so now! The AARP is supportive of Obama, he has said so already.. Do not give the AARP your support until they stand up for you.

LET THIS BE CLEAR TO YOU AND ANYONE WHO READS THIS. THE FACT IS WE DONT SPEND MONEY ON PEOPLE WHO ARE WELL WE SPEND MONEY ON THE SICK , 74% OF FUNDS SPENT FOR HEALTHCARE IS FOR ELDERLY. THE ISSUE IS SIMPLE IF YOU ARE CUTTING COSTS UNDER THE GUISE OF STOPPING WASTEFUL SPENDING AND SPENDING LESS ON CERTAIN FORMS OF PROCEDURES, GUESS WHAT FELLOW AARP MEMBERS IF GOVERMENT HAS ANY CONTROL OVER THIS THAT MEANS THAT A GROUP OF GOVERMENT EMPLOYEES WILL DICTATE HOW MUCH PER YEAR IS SPENT ON HEALTHCARE, PIN POINT THIS TO SAY THAT GOVERMENT WILL SAY WE ARE ALLOCATING X AMOUNT FOR CANCER TREATMENT, X AMOUNT FOR COLONOSCAPYS , X AMOUNT FOR INCONSTANANCE TREATMENT , ECT . THIS MEANS MY FRIENDS THAT GOVERMENT HAS TO RATION CARE IT ISNT A QUESTION ,IT IS A FACT , FOR ADMINISTRATION AND AARP TO SAY NO NO NO , PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME OTHERWISE, THERE ISNT A MONEY TREE GROWING BEHIND EVERY HOSPITAL IN AMERICA TO PAY FOR THIS TO SAY DONT WORRY YOU WONT HAVE TO WAIT FOR CARE IS A LIE AND YOU AND ADMINISTRATION KNOW IT. UNLESS YOU CAN SAY WITH FACTS THIS WOULDNT BE DONE.. STOP SAYING NO NO NO IT IS LIES , BLAH BLAH ,AND ENGAGE US TO EXPLAIN WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM TO SUPPORT THIS , SO AS THERE IS NO ONE WHO ISNT ENTITLED TO CARE ,,, UNTIL YOU CAN THEN LOSING 60K MEMBERS IN THE BEGINNING ... DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON AARPS ENDORSEMENTS OF REVERSE MORTGAGES...

jUST GO TO THE POST OFFICE TO SEE HOW OBAMACARE AND GOVERNMENT WORKERS ARE GOING TO SERVE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. AARP HAS JOINED THE LEFT WING LIBERALS IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO BUY VOTES FROM THE 50 MILLION UNINSURED. I WILL NOT RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP DUE TO THIS BRAZEN, DELIBERATE HIJACKING OF THE AARP.

Why don't you push for tort reform, tax credits, ability to cross state lines to purchase insurance? All of these options would help a lot more than anything the White House or Congress has submitted.

After reading what you have said and written I find that AARP is to far left leaning and I couldn't stay a member of this organization. Therefore I wish to terminate my membership and request a refund of my membership fees. This backing of Obama's health care reform is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Why has AARP decided to side with a government plan? AARP must be getting funds for endorcing this health care plan and completely disregarding the senior citizens. Where has America the country I once knew gone?

I can't believe that you are endorsing Obama care. I was a member but, I am sooooooo glad I forgot to renew and now I know why. I thank the Lord for giving me the knowledge and discernment about this issue. I know over 100,000 people have already dropped their membership so that tells me something.
Your new CEO should be helping the seniors and not Obama.

I am cancelling my membership in AARP. All the organization has done is become is a political rag for the dictator. It is a shame AARP has let down their membership in such a dispicable manner. They've shown their far left leanings before with Harry Belefonte, Nancy Sinatra on the covers of magazines. Now they're selling out again to the Democrat's unnecessary and unwanted healthcare program. I urge mass membership cancellations. Accept the fact that your membership dues are going for nothing except the furtherance of the Democrat leftist agenda.

"Health Care for all" certainly 'sounds' good, but the current legislation proposals are NOT the answer!!
We need 'free market' sytem and capitalism work. We DO NOT need government intervention, or a govenment centric system!

Health Care Reform can best be accomplished with Tort Reform, and competition across state lines and such. Not a costly government program, that will hinder competition and medical professionals entering the field. It will reduce quality and services.

I am SHOCKED that AARP is even considering any part of the current legislative proposals!!

My wife had just sent in our renewal, when we receive the new membership cards we will be returning them and requesting a full refund of our dues. We have no desire to be a member of an organization the endorses the bankruping of our country.

We are getting real close to joining the 1000s of members who are very disapointed in the AARPs leadership supporting Obama and the liberals view for health care, and resigning our membership. Listen very closely to your membership! We are speaking!

Very confused! On O'Reilly's Factor saw a representative of the AARP the other night in an interview advocating that AARP was not endorsing any present health care bill, then during a commercial break, AARP was paying for a commercial endorsing Obama Health Care reform and the bill in congress.

No wonder so many folks are canceling their membership to AARP. Did the AARP poll its membership? Does this organization support its membership? How much will AARP stand to make as an insurance provider in Obamacare? Is AARP putting the dollar above the senior citizen health care?

Wake up folks, its time to look for another senior citizen organization that listens to its membership!

As an AARP member I do not want you acting like you are a white house insider, and either openly supporting or tacitly supporting the Obama Health Plan.
I absolutely do not want this plan! Your actions on this matter will determine whether I will remain a member of AARP.

Very confused! On O'Reilly's Factor saw a representative of the AARP the other night in an interview advocating that AARP was not endorsing any present health care bill, then during a commercial break, AARP was paying for a commercial endorsing Obama Health Care reform and the bill in congress.

No wonder so many folks are canceling their membership to AARP. Did the AARP poll its membership? Does this organization support its membership? How much will AARP stand to make as an insurance provider in Obamacare? Is AARP putting the dollar above the senior citizen health care?

Wake up folks, its time to look for another senior citizen organization that listens to its membership!

Both my wife and I are members of AARP
If it is true that you support the current versions of health care reform we will both not renew our membership.
A thousand page bill that has not been read and studed should not be enacted into law.

Tell me it isn't so. I thought AARP was looking out for the benefits of the membership and it appears the membership has been sold out for obvious political reasons. Mr A Barry Rand seems to be avoiding the major issues detrimental to seniors and his responses regarding "myths and lies" sounds like his views are not based on fact rather politically motivated. Rehaps all AARP is - - - is just another insurance company looking for political favors.

Count me as a member who supports AARP's stand on reform! I understand concerns that people 65+ have about their Medicare benefits, but folks, at least you have Medicare benefits.

Fifteen percent of Americans have no health insurance at all, and that number grows daily through job loss and the cost of insurance.

The small business where I work has been struggling. We just got word that our insurance premiums will go up 42 percent in October. FORTY-TWO PERCENT and that's with half the staff we had a year ago. I'm a cancer survivor. What will I do if they have to cancel?

Thank you, AARP for taking a fact-based approach to health reform in the face of a lot of misinformation (most of which can be read above) being fed to otherwise well-meaning people.

Lisa, age 50

I just got off the phone with customer service. She stated that AARP is not advocating the Obama Health Care plan. BUT -- NO WHERE ON THIS WEBSITE DOES IT STATE THIS! She said that they have TV commercials coming out that state this. I told her that they need to be STATING THIS ON THEIR WEBSITE!

I told her that I had a big problem with them using Annenberg & FactCheck for the "truth." She had never heard of the anarchist & communist Bill Ayers & Barack Obama's ties to Annenberg! (GOOD GRIEF!) I told her that when they use Annenberg as a source, that is BAD!

She said she would cancel my membership.

Thank you!
Kat Lawson

I don't want platitudes. I don't want an Obama election speech. I only want my membershio cancelled.

If you support Nationalized Health Care - as being pushed upon us by Pelosi, Reid and Obama, we are out of your organization.

They will run health care like they run the US Post Office and Amtrack! They will loose our money like sand down a rat hole!!!

I cannot understand your position on the healthcare reform bill. The intrusions in my personal life and the fact that the Government cannot run Medicare, Social Security, and the Post Office should be a clue that they should stay out of the healthcare business. Yes, I have read parts of the bill which is not something I commonly do. I wanted to know who is telling me lies and who isn't. It is now evident that AARP and the democrats are not looking out for our interest. If you are someone writing in supporting of this bill, please read the bill for yourself, do not listen to the media, or at least listen to both sides. I'm sorry to say cancel my membership.

I have read and listened to many programs both on TV and Radio. I have listened to the townhall meetings as well as the news broadcast both from those and for and against.

I guess I do not understand how this bill will help those who are on Medicare. I have paid for Medicare my entire life since it was enacted. It is not free I feel it is very expensive. Now that I am on it . It is automatically deducted from SS benefits. This is a cost of approximately $100.00 per month, then you have a $100.00 out of pocket co-pay. This is a min of $1300.00 per person. Now do not forget that you still have to pay Federal Income Tax on everything. This includes all the income tax you paid over the years.

I wish you would put more effort in reducing the fininical burden placed on the fixed income members and get out of politics for the unemployed.

Protect your members.. I still do not see how this will help the Seniors. If you want to continue to be supported by those who are retired start supporting them.

Why haven't you supported the limitations on the tort system. Afterall the only person this helps now is the Attorneys.

does obama nad the CEO have some prv. deal done between them.

does obama nad the CEO have some prv. deal done between them.

AARP;
I am angry!!!!
I am an officer in the Retired Educators of Oregon. I am considering dropping my membership in AARP, for a different reason than many of the comments I am reading in your emials. Why are you not supporting the President's plan to fix a long overdue need for the health of our people who don't have access to health care?
How can Christians with the many messages that are part of our theology be so selfish that we support Insurance companies, with their greed, and not care for our people?
If the president and the democratic party fail again - like they did in the attemt that was made in the "90's, we may never do what Mrs. Andres did in 1955. Damn it, do the right thing. Dick Strycker
Dick Strycker

You state that many of us are following myths and lies like we are too DUMB to know the difference. In my opinion, you and the other liberals in this healthcare blunder are the ones being deceived but are too dumb to realize it. Even if there are no death panels, taxes will go so sky high to pay for this that most of us means slow death by finances. If you continue to support this issue and side with this administration in it's systematic move toward socialism, my husband and I, my sister, my mother and her friend have discussed that we will not renew our 5 yr AARP's. Add 4 more membership losses to the many others state above. We can not fund the indigent on the back of the elderly as the public treasury becomes the public trough!

I would like my membership fees returned.
I do not agree and it looks like I am not alone on this. Shame on you AARP for taking a stance. You should have kept your mouth shut.

i have been a member of aarp for 15 years. i am not ready to resign yet.
get some people on your board who are concerned about seniors.

how can you insure 50 million people who have no insurance?
i have been on cobra, my son was on cobra, he died of cancer.
i lost a job, he lost his job.

everyone knew there were problems with healthcare, social security. no one did anything.

what aarp endorses should protect senior citizens.

people in their 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's should not have to worry about money or insurance. they have worked, it is suppose to be there.

the only thing i see is clinics for the uninsured. they pay what they can. only go to emergency rooms if the clinic says so.
make the drug companies and hospitals pay for it for tax breaks.

quit raiding money from the social security trust and prefund
for everyone one it. year by year or hopefully every 10 years.

make insurance companies quit denying insurance claims.

do not let them cancel out people with pre-existing conditions.

get temporary insurance for people like food stamps.

go after medicare fraud. hire people to get all money back that they can.

You are agreeing to allow the government to decide who will receive life saving procedures and we do not. We do not and will not agree with you. I have spoken to my physician and to my parent's. Both said the same thing. They do not agree with the contents of this document. The government isn't fooling the medical professionals or the AMERICAN people. One of the doctors said they even voted for Obama and regrets it daily because of this bill.

I have advised my parents to discontinue their membership immediately. My husband and myself will not be joining now nor in the future.

How can AARP even for one moment agree with something like Obamacare? How can you agree with not allowing services for seniors/individuals when they are needed based on their age. I believe that is DISCRIMINATION.

If you want to be a socialist company, then so be it. But you will not receive on red penny of our money.

Interesting too, all of your (AARP) lines are busy once you get past the main menu. Ummm...being overwhelmed with phone calls are we?
.
Very disappointed in AARP and our governmnet.

AARP is disgusting as is this lame article by your "CEO". You sound more like a politician than an advocacy group.

You should be supporting your membership rather than trying to be politically correct. This health care bill does not support seniors in hardly any ways.

Why don't you say what is wrong with it, rather than agree and let Obama USE you as a supporter??????????

Mr. Rand,

I am extraordinarily disappointed by AARP's commercial supporting healthcare reform which implies we should all get out of the way and let Congress have their way in revising this most important aspect of our lives, culture and economy. Furthermore, I am extremely distressed by your appearance with Mr. Obama in which it was implied that AARP supports his healthcare initiative. We need less government involvement in our lives, not more!! We need lower taxes, not greater taxes to pay for someone else's healthcare. I am pleased to pay for healthcare expenses for my family, including my grandchildren if necessary but I do not want to pay greater taxes in whatever form Congress passes such costs on to us in order to fund someone else's healthcare coverage. How about advocating for seniors in the area of lower taxes instead of supporting government-managed healthcare reform which seems primarily directed at providing coverage for people most of whom are not seniors? I think you need to remember exactly what your constituancy is. How about advocating for your members, not just supporting some liberal ideology?

I will be watching closely and will cancel my membership if AARP continues to support any Congessional measure which includes the so-called "Public Option"

I am planning to cancel my membership to AARP. Your position supporting Pres. Obama's health care plan means you are not supporting your membership. The House bill, which I have read, does limit choices, will cause rationing of health care (like it is in Canada and Europe), does require "death" discussions even if you do not want to do it, and will get the government into everyones life to an extent that freedom will be lost. Where in the Constitution is health care a Right. Why do we, who have paid our taxes and never broke any laws have to pay for illegals and other who have not followed that path. What you discribe as what you want to accomplish will not be accomplished is the house bill, just the opposite. You say these issues are myths. Do you think because we are older that we are stupid. I may be old but I can read and reason.

Mr. Rand read the comments to your letter, the vast majority of people are against the healthcare proposals being put forth by the Democrats. From what I have read about the public option, it will cut cost by paying less than even Medicare for services, that will result in either medical professionals & hospitals charging us with private insurance more to cover the losses from the public option (including the coverage for illegal aliens) or they will have to limit service to people with the public option and more likely both. Medicare and Social Security are both going broke, we don't need another poorly run government program. If AARP supports the program as is, I will cancel my membership.

Why does the board hire people with very liberal views and also support other people with leftist views. Maybe the board members need to be replaced. Every since Horace Deets was hired as Executive Director, I knew AARP was a far left liberal organzation and I would never be a part of it. I'm proud I have not joined.
I'm glad other members wised up & quit. Maybe a new organization should be formed to compete with AARP.

Roy Shirah, retired & Republican.

To the AARP Board of Directors:

Just like members of Congress, AARP is suppose to represent it's members and not the political ambitions of either party.

I'm retired from Xerox and I hope that Mr. Rand is not giving Mr. Obama his support with a hand shake, pat on the back, and telling him that he will make it happen behind closed doors. As an AARP member, I do not want him to SELL us down the river on any issue just so he can be buds with Mr. Obama! I do not trust Barry Rand to represent my best interest.

I will accept the AARPs, the Presidents' and the liberal Democrats healthcare reform when:
1. Illegal aliens aren't covered
2. Comparative Effective Research (CER) is eliminated
3. Quality of Life Years (QALY) is eliminated
Prof. Singer, Princeton University said in his NY Times Magazine article: "One 15 year old teenager is worth 14-85 year old senior citizens."
4. Federally funded abortions are banned (not including the ban means federal money can be paid for "...recognized medical procedures" and an abortion is a recognized medical procedure. Although there is no provision to cover abortions, not specifically banning abortions means they can be paid for by Federal funds.
5. CONGRESS AND ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE COVERED BY THE HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL...then you can sign me up. Until then, I wouldn't want a medical plan that those who crafted it, won't even sign-up for its coverage!
Don't think these are very difficult provisions to eliminate or incorporate in a bill that will cover all taxpaying American citizens.

Why is AARP in Obama's pocket? He states clearly in his speeches that he will pay for his government plan with money from Medicare. Medicare is already in financial trouble. It does not take a brain surgeon to see the subsequent domino effect on seniors. This is not a MYTH. It is a fact from Obama's own mouth.

Just because you voted for and supported Obama in the election does not give you the right to push his agenda to the detriment of AARP members. Step back and take the "MYTH" propaganda off of OUR website. Yes, OUR dues and other memberships are what supports AARP

It is Medicare that Obama wants to gut and anyone over 65 has no other choice than Medicare. Read the comments. You are not in touch with your memebership!

You are agreeing to allow the government to decide who will receive life saving procedures and we do not. We do not and will not agree with you. I have spoken to my physician and to my parent's. Both said the same thing. They do not agree with the contents of this document. The government isn't fooling the medical professionals or the AMERICAN people. One of the doctors said they even voted for Obama and regrets it daily because of this bill.

I have advised my parents to discontinue their membership immediately. My husband and myself will not be joining now nor in the future.

How can AARP even for one moment agree with something like Obamacare? How can you agree with not allowing services for seniors/individuals when they are needed based on their age. I believe that is DISCRIMINATION.

If you want to be a socialist company, then so be it. But you will not receive on red penny of our money.

Interesting too, all of your (AARP) lines are busy once you get past the main menu. Ummm...being overwhelmed with phone calls are we?
.
Very disappointed in AARP and our governmnet.

You have lost your integrity. How can you rely or believe in a government program that was written in less time that took the President to pick out the breed of dog for his family? Many of the Congress men and women have absolutely no idea what the details are in the Health Bill. Also, when they personally sign up to have the same coverage as the rest of us without any supplementary coverage then I may reconsider. I'm withdrawing my AARP membership.

I just canceled my membership after reading your position paper.

Where exactly do you think all the doctors and hospitals are going to come from to provide all this care that no one is going to pay for.

I agree that there should be a discussion based on facts but don't agree that you wave a magic wand and ignore financial realities.

Your job is to represent American citizens 50+. This so-called Health Reform has almost nothing to do with that. It is mainly about creating a fictional paradise for all people, citizens or not. Great idea...Who is going to pay for it? How long will the waits be in the ER? Who is going to decide who gets what treatment?

Who is dealing with the facts?

When AARP began it stood for something good and decent. AARP has become nothing more than a glorified insurance company, in bed with congress and the White House. We are appalled and disgusted that you are now running ads in support of the health care that the current resident of the White House is trying to cram down our throats.

We will be terminating our membership. Thanks for nothing.

When AARP began it stood for something good and decent. AARP has become nothing more than a glorified insurance company, in bed with congress and the White House. We are appalled and disgusted that you are now running ads in support of the health care that the current resident of the White House is trying to cram down our throats.

We will be terminating our membership. Thanks for nothing.

Like many others, I believe you support President Obamas position on health care reform.
My wife and I would appreciate a clear statelment by AARP as to where you stand on health care reform and Obamas position. There is a need for reform but NOT as Obama proposes it.
As 30 year members, regretably, we will be forced to reconsider our membership in AARP unless AARP shows true leadership and a clear position on healthcare.
Dr. & Mrs John E. Harding
21 Murray St.
Binghamton, N.Y. 13905
(jonh1har@aol.com)
(c) 607 725 6488

Unless and until AARP puts pressure on the Whitehouse to reform the legal system that is certainly as much to blame for the healthcare mess as anything else, AARP' Director does not speak for this member.

My parent's membership is canceled as of now. We will not be joining.

How could AARP agree and back Obamacare? To limit care to seniors is discrimination which is against the law - for the moment anyway.

We don't want government health care. We don't want Obama and his little friends telling us what we can be treated for and what we can't.

Very disappointed in you and your organization. You should issue refunds to all of your members.

Dear Mr. Rand, I read your article regarding the health care reform legislation. I can only conclude that you have not read the entire bill. I have... This smacks of Marxism and Socialism. My husband and I are not socialists (Democrats) - we can no longer be a part of your organization. Cancel our membership.

Please cancel my, and my wife's memberships.
If we are entitled to any refund, please forward it
to us.

George & Jacqueline Galindez say:
We have read most of the proposed health care bill. It is an extremely poorly written document. We have listened to feelings expressed at the town hall meeting all over this great country. We have listened to individuals from other countries that have experienced Nationalized Health Care. They have stated that once it is put in place it will be near impossible to make a change. We do feel our health/hospital expense and prescription costs need to be addressed; however, WE DO NOT WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO BE CONTROLLING OUR HEALTH CARE IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WE SHOULD MAINTAIN OUR FREEDOM OF CHOICE! We encourage those of you leaders of AARP to take another look. There is no need to rush with something so important. We will NOT continue our membership in AARP if you do not change your position on this plan. Use your influence to STOP THIS HURRIED MADNESS. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE!!!

Why is AARP "THROWING THEIR MEMBERS UNDER THE BUS" for Obamacare???? I have always been under the impression that the organization "lobbys for it's Senior members". I must have been wrong! Continue to see on the news that AARP supports Obamacare!!! SCREW YOUR HEADS ON RIGHT AND VOTE NO FOR OBAMACARE!!!!!

Carole and Pat Nolan

I do not support the public plan, and contrary to Mr. Dick Strycker's opinion, How can you call yourself a Christian and support such an abominable plan! Do the right thing and not support the public plan. My wife and I will drop our membership if AARP supports the NOBAMA plan!

I want to quit AARP. You have become a Political Arm for the Democrats and have failed to support us seniors. A. Barry Obama Rand should resign NOW. I have been a member for 15+ years and will be glad to quit now. AARP stinks!!! It is too political and has been taken over by the rabid left.

I dropped membership a few years ago when I found you had the wrong stance on gun control. What are you ..... another ACORN?

Wisely I cancelled my membership to AARP years ago when I became aware that your interests are not FOR the seniors, rather just a large powerful lobby furthering your financial & left wing political interests. REMOVE ME from your incessant membership mailings.

What a bunch of double speak. I want you to know as an AARP member since 2002, and have paid through 2013, AARP no longer speaks for me. Please cancel my membership immediately.

AARP's support for Obama socialist scams disgusts me. I have had members of my family who were unfortunately Canadian citizens and died waiting months for care.

If AARP want the President plan so bad, then every director at AARP including you Mr Rand, the President, his family, and staff, every Representative and Senator, and their families should have to sign up for the Socialist public option.

You and yours can be the first to stand in line and wait for health care Mr. Rand.

There are no amount of benefits worth having the Governments intrusion into the Health care system of a free people. We are capable of repairing the problems without the help (strings) of a Government that is already to big. It has forgotten that it has limits built into it's Constitution that forbids what it is currently doing. A Government that respects no limits deserves NO trust.

I've known for a long time that AARP is a seriously left learning organization. However, for AARP to take a stand that will hurt so many of their constituents is disgusting.

Mr. Rand should be replaced -- pronto.

I don't see how in any way HR 3200 benefits AARP members. The 1000+ pages are written in such legalese that it is virtually impossible to understand. Were it not for those providing the so-called "Myths and Lies" we would have no information at all (certainly not from those proposing the bill).
One thing it doesn't take a genius to figure out is that any bill promoting any form of government-controlled taxpayer-funded plan is the first step toward socialized medicine.
Any time the private sector competes with a public one with virtually unlimited funds (i.e. TAXPAYER MONEY) it won’t be long before they’re no longer in business. Obama says the plan will focus at controlling cost. The only way to do that is the limit services. Since older Americans are the ones who’ll require must of the services, they will logically be the ones who’ll receive less (i.e. RATIONED CARE). A PUBLIC OPTION (or any kind of government control) is just the first step toward SOCIALISM and I, for one, don't want to start down that road. I have been a member of AARP for 18 years but if they (AARP) continue to support it I will cancel my membership.

Couple of points.
Don't mix the current health care reform bill with the needs of seniors on Medicare.

It would be wiser to approach both separately. This reply is directed to Medicare.

First, allow FULL credit to seniors receiving Social Security for all the medical outlays, insurance, medical bills, etc. Eliminate the reduction of 7.5% from adjusted gross income for itemized deductions (also provide same benefits to those taking standard deduction)

Provide similar benefit to seniors that are allowed to low income,
the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

FINALLY, quick story....when President Bush attempted to strengthen Social Security his plan was savaged, not only by
political opponents who charged he was trying to "destroy" SS,
but even by AARP which had a road show going around the
country echoing Democratic charges. And, here we are, eight
years later, and SS is weaker than ever.

'Nough said about AARP interests in the welfare of seniors.

Please do not forward my email address to the White House as you may have done to others. My comment is this. If you were truly interested in Healthcare Reform, why wouldn't you fight for Insurance purchases across State lines to create more competition which drives cost down? Do you really think that creating one big Government program is competition or reform? It is more like restricting competition and running competitors out of business. It is clear that your association and support of the Governments plan is not in the best interest of Seniors or the country at large. You are restricting competition, not opening it up. Seniors have not lose their minds or ability to understand what is going on. In fact they are far more intelligent that the political members you support. Do you also realize the growth in Federal employment with a program like the one you are supporting. That is the only area of employment growth we will have if you continue on the path you are on. Hopefully more Seniors will wake up and eliminate the AARP from their lives as it has become more of a Government Agency than fighting got the truth in Healthcare Reform.

I recently and unfortunately just joined AARP not realizing that the organization strongly supports the present health care "reform" plan being designed by the same people in the White House and Congress that don't want to use it for their own families. The US government has proven time and time again that the efficiently bureaucracy cannot manage huge programs with the failure of social security which I've paid into my entire working life and will probably never see a dime as the age of eligibility continues to rise, Medicare being bankrupt, the postal service which is bankrupt and continues to become only a carrier for junk/bulk mail, even the military is very inefficient given that we have the most dedicated, brightest, and loyal personnel in our armed forces. I can't name a major government program that runs efficiently and most don't work at all or are bankrupt. Ask any veteran how he likes the care he gets at the VA hospital and I believe it will be enlightening. I presently have the best health care in the world. I and my employer pay for it and I can choose any doctor, anytime, anywhere and know that I will have the best chance of staying healthy. Why would I want to pay for another plan that the government will mismanage? Or why would I want to pay for my plan and pay for someone else's plan also? I hope that I can get a refund of the AARP membership and join the American Senior Association which opposes the present plan to mismanage our tax money and turn our health care system into the post office.

I'm beginning to think you do not represent your membership at all. You have turned AARP into a partisan political action group that doesn't reflect your stated purpose of representing seniors.

I have been a volunteer for your Foundation's Tax-Aide for 13 years. It's a great program originally designed to assist seniors with their tax preparation. For years I have tried to get AARP to lobby to get the "Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled" updated. Almost no one qualifies because if one receives more than $5,000 in untaxed Social Security, he/she is not eligible. The $5,000 disqualifier isn't indexed to inflation and hasn't been increased since I joined the program and probably ever.

I prepare taxes for many widows who receive a meager survivor income and a little untaxed Social Security. They all seem to pay around $1,000 to $1,500 in tax. Yet, I prepare tax returns for young mothers making the same income who, due to refundable credits, actually get a "refund" of $3,000-$4,000! Where is the fairness to that? The only credit applicable for seniors is the credit for the elderly, but it is rare to find someone who qualifies because of the disqualifier I mentioned above.

If AARP were really looking out for seniors, you would have demanded congress update that credit so, like the personal exemptions, the standard deductions, etc., it reflects inflation and indexed to it. Also, you would have insisted on dropping the age disqualifier for "Earned Income Credit." There are countless other tax issues you should have been pushing congress to pass to assist your membership.

I long ago dropped my membership when I realized the partisan nature of AARP's unstated objectives instead of looking out for members. You have taken positions on political issues that have no bearing on seniors at all, yet ignored important issues that dramatically affect seniors. It has been very disappointing.

While you say you aren't endorsing the healthcare reform bill, it is clear from your web site that you certainly favor most of it. Do you think it's really fair "stealing" $500 billion from the Medicare Trust Fund to provide health insurance for people who haven't paid anything! And while Medicare is headed for bankruptcy! By all means, eliminate fraud and waste in Medicare, because that will help forestall bankruptcy. That Trust Fund came from years of payroll deductions (without coverage) and later, premiums paid by Medicare recipients. It should only be used for their benefit, period.

Already my cancer post treatment follow-up is evidence of Medicare rationing. Two years ago, my follow-up tests were completely covered. Last year, I had to pay approximately $200 for those tests because Medicare no longer covered them. This year, it's over $1,100 that I will have to pay out of my pocket for the exact same tests. Our Medicare benefits are already eroding! Just wait until the "cost-cutting" is implemented!

It's not just about the facts Mr Rand. Many people know the facts, or are continuing to find out about them. The problem is also that you are giving no voice to your members who disagree (note the meeting in Texas where the AARP rep canceled the meeting when people wanted to speak in opposition to "assumed" positions of agreement). If you insist on just listening to only the White House, and not your members, you will lose more than numbers. You will lose respect and influence for the other issues you advocate for. As an army buddy once said, is this the hill you are willing to die on? Choose wisely. There is more at stake than just health care.

The cuts in Medicare have already begun. The elimination of Medicare Advantage is just the beginning. It's elimination is a fact, not a myth. The only thing that we can really depend on with this reform initiative, is more cuts to save more money. How great will the Medicare benefit cuts be? Dealing with this issue is where AARP could be helpful - not just as a cheerleader for the reform that will initiate the cuts.

I expect AARP to oppose the reduction of funding for Medicare Advantage.
The changes to health care in this country that need to be made are:

Portability
Medical insurance across state lines
No preexisting condition exclusion

We do not need an entirely new health care system, only changes to the current system. We also need an honest assessment of the number of people who do not have access to health insurance. Illegals have no right to health insurance, unless they purchase it themselves. I am tired of inflated numbers including illegals and those wh chose to not have insurance. There are hundreds of thousands of poor people who will not register their children in the various state programs.

Mr. Rand,

According to your letter AARP's stated interests are:

1) Lower Drug Costs and Strengthen Medicare
2)Protect Your Health Care Choices
3)End Discrimination by Insurance Companies
4)Guarantee Stable, Affordable Coverage

These are noble causes which most people will agree upon. However you are as bad as our government bureaucrats when you think that a 1,000 page bill that is inclusive of these items should be supported while ignoring the rest of the legislation and the devestating costs. Our country will not be able to afford 10 years of this legislaton. My wife put it best last night when she said we must look at our currnet medical care right now and realize we are seeing the best it will ever be. Everything from this point forward will be a deterioration of a pretty good system that needed a few adjustments, not a complete overhaul. I am canceling my membership because AARP doesn't represent the members. Represntation would mean fighting for the above mentioned objectives while also fighting the losses of our freedom and fiscal reponsibility which this bill represents. Oh, by the way, in a few short months, this will be a small problem compared to the lack of funding in the social security account. What's your plan for representation of our interests on that mess?

A week or so ago at a town hall meeting, President Obama said AARP supported his healthcare reform bill. Later that day, an AARP spokesman stated that AARP did not support any healthcare reform bill. That sounds to me like someone, either President Obama or AARP is lying. If AARP supports the president's bill and it is currently written and the majority of their members do not, maybe AARP should quite saying that it is an organization looking after the interests of seniors and start saying it is an organization looking after the interests of President Obama.

The reform bill currently in congress wants to pattern the healthcare in the U.S. after the one in Canada. If that system is so great, why is the Canadian government now wanting to change it's style of healthcare to the private sector?

If the reform bill is so great want everyone to be under the public healthcare system, why does the bill have a provision that exempts the president and all members of congress from it?

You can tell me that by taking money from Medicare to pay for this public healthcare that Medicare services will not suffer.

It seem to me that the government is trying to spend it's way out of debt, and that will NOT work.

Cancel my membership immediately! You and your left-wing, Yes We Can Obamunist sycophants are to never contact me or my household again. Take me off any and all mailing lists.

Membership # - 323 851 705 0

Let's just hope I never hear from you again. Consider this my resignation, posted for the entire world to see, and to be brought up in court if ever your organization sends me ANYTHING in the mail or across the computer.

Jim Hicks
Right Wing, Christian, Gun Owning, Anti-Abortion, Combat Veteran
(Liberals Worst Nightmare)

I very recently turned 50 and my wife signed me up for AARP as a birthday gift, partly in fun because she knew I don't take aging very gracefully.

Three months later, I am now very proud to be a member of AARP as a result of the courageous stand this organization has taken to present the facts on the Health Care debate.

It's not about agreeing on every point - I am sure that I will not agree with every position taken by AARP. However, they have put serious thought into the issue and the best interests of the senior Americans that they represent. What is most important that they are basing their position on supported facts and not rumors, and they are making this information available to those who will listen.

There is nothing AARP could offer me to be a member. Me and my wife shredded our cards. I was born in a communist country with free health care. At age 12, I was operated by mistake for appendix and they left a vane open. This became a major complication as infection set in. After 2 1/2 months in the hospital the doctors gave up and just waited for me to die. My father had a cousin who was in doctor in charge of party members and the president. As last resort he asked him to look at me and see if he can help. After his visit he ordered antibiotics from Germany. In less then 2 weeks I was discharged from the hospital. This is what happens when you are in a health care system run by the government. Is there any program that the Government runs that is not abused and heavily bureaucratic?
Finally anything you offer through your organization is strictly business. Insurances, Credit cards, and much more it is just a money making machine.
And discounts when traveling are much bigger from AAA.
Now that you have become political you can keep your organization and I will join the http://60plus.org/ .

If AArp decides to back the plan that President Obama is proposing, I will be cancelling my membership.

We are quitting AARP-- we're both 51 so this group could have been our advocate for 30+ years-- because it is NOT a non-profit, objective advocacy for boomers. Unfortunately it is dominated by a LIBERAL-biased political agenda that mimics every wish of the Obama administration. It has misfired, again. If it cared about seniors, it would ask about the INTEGRITY of Social Security and Medicare and the ability of the federal government to make due on promises made to 76 million baby boomers- NOT placing us, and our grandchildren, in further debt, with a new entitlement program. Shame on AARP.

I am very upset that AARP would go along with "Obama bin Laden's" health care reform. If this plan is not good enough for congress, why should it be good for us? The congress works for us. We put them in office so why are they so much better than we are? If you, Mr. Rand are supporting this, I WILL cancel my membership. I would like an answer from you personally or on Fox News where you showed your true colors on where YOU stand. I thought that being members of this organization, we have a say. Apparently you decide for us. Are we stupid or childish that we can't decide for ourselves? Mr. Rand, if you would be voted into your position, you would be fired. WISE UP......

It is hard to ignore the fact that, in recent years, AARP has become a significant insurance broker. I would not want to have reason to think that AARP supports the "public option" or cuts in Medicare coverage because it stands to benefit from the sale of new supplemental plans.

Unlike some, i do not believe that "real healthcarer reform" requires a public option. Rather, i think real healthcare reform requires significant tort reform. Unless the number of frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage awards can be drastically reduced, no meaningful savings and administrative streamlining can be realized.

Don't forget who "butters your bread"!! You are at the threshold of dramatic membership gains as babyboomers enter their "Golden Age". Keep your priorities straight.

We have just joined AARP to show our appreciation for your support of affordable healthcare for all. Thank you AARP!

The current proposed Obama or Congressional health care
bill is not in the best interest of the tax payer. It should not
be a government single payer system or a co-op program run
by the government.
No acess to my personal information, No plan to push death
discussion for people with the government bureaucrats, No
to health care for non US citizens, No access to my check
accounts, No to a reduction of Medicare, No allocation &
limits to medical care access, Cut the cost of part D drug
donut hole in half. Tort reform should be a major effort to
cut the cost of liability insurance coverage by doctors, hosipitals, and drug mfgs. Congress and the President and
all government employees must be on this plan also. No
exceptions. This should include all unions too. No exceptions.

The current legislation is a joke and should be scaped. It is
not reform. It is a major power take over effort. AARP should
be against this effort. You are not. Get on board the resistance to a major cost to the American people and a loss
of liberty and freedom.
Where are you in representing the people. You are not doing
it.

My husband and I are considering whether we should continue to be AARP members. We are very upset that you endorse President Obama"s plan, I thought AARP was working for senior citzens. We have our homeowners polciy and auto insurance policy with AARP which we will cancel. Am also furious that Illegal Aliens will be covered under Obama's plan. We do need a change but not goverment run. I am losing respect for this organization.

Please cancel my AARP membership. AARP does not respresemt my thoughts and needs on health care and is playing the political game. I think you will lose.

My wife and I have had excellent health care and health insurance all of our lives. I wish that all Americans could say the same. We have too many uninsured and underinsured folks in this great nation. I'm therefore very happy that you have backed the idea of a health plan proposed by our President and our Congress. Your decision must have been a difficult one knowing that many people may drop their membership in AARP. But know this: many more will become new members because of your brave decision. On behalf of all of those with health care and health insurance issues...Thank you!

I agree our CEO should resign. I did not support the "sweet heart" deal the AARP leadership made with President Bush, and I certainly do not support the Obamacare or any other healthcare I have seen proposed that AARP apparently quietly supports. Fix what problems there are with our medical system, but do not start over, or expand beyond the countries financial capability. Also, please do not insult my intelligence by telling me the current healthcare plan will transfer $600 Billion out of Medicare, but the Medicare coverage will not be decreased, or rationing will not occur. Common Sense says otherwise. If I have not been clear, I OPPOSE the OBAMACARE, and will resign if the AARP continues to support it, or any major changes!

I am for healthcare reform but not a gov't program. Have you not seen the track record of gov't programs. They're failing everywhere ... money, fraud, overpaid management, financially unsound, etc. What are you guys smoking? Unless you announce a position against a gov't run program, my wife and I are leaving AARP 'cause you don't represent me.
Ron Mechling, North Carolina

This appears to be one african American supporting another african American regardless of mamber wishes.
During the choice period Medicare supplimental enrollment I will be moving to another insurance carrier and moving my membership to ASA

AARP has sold us out for the last time. We have just found out about and signed up with American Seniors. AARP has been leaning left for a long time now, and has finally gone all the way. Where in your bullet popints, Mr. Rand, is the opposition to funding abortion with taxpayer dollars? Where is the outrage over trial lawyers cleaning up by way of frivolous lawsuits, and class action suits where the actual complainant gets little or nothing? Where is the outrage over illegal immigrants sucking off benefits from our health care system? AARP has become just another progressive organization we can do without, and we hope to see you lose membership leading to your demise.

I suspect that the majority of your members (at least the ones who are paying attention) are not in agreement with AARP's politics or integrity. Your "myth" propaganda is shameful. Like Obama you twist and distort and take things out of context in order to promote your agenda, which is apparently in alignment with the far-left. As of yesterday, my husband and I have joined the others who have dumped AARP and have joined the American Seniors Association.

We have the best health care system in the world. It is more expensive than other countries. Costs can be taken out. having said that, i do not know of any government program that has ever been more cost effective than private enterprise.

It is unrealistic to believe that we can add many millions of uninsured AND reduce cost. further to contemplate reducing about $500 billion in medicare payments to doctors, WITHOUT SPECIFICS is unrealistic. If this is done, Doctors will flock to concierege serevice, further reducing the number of doctors available for increase patients. A recipe for disaster.

I would rather pay more to have quality care, than rationing, which I believe as I review the various proposals being currently considered.

One topic which seems to be taken off the table by the Democrats is tort reform. this needs to be implemented, not onlu from a cost point of view, but from an emotional point of view for the doctors.

I believe AARP has made a significant error in moving too quickly and needs to reevaluate its position.

i am not threatening to drop my membership, but I can not support the present proposals being considered, nor can I support any organization that endorses any proposals even remotely similar to what is being discussed.

My wife and I are both AARP members and are really confused about AARP mission.
We get all kinds of junk mail from AARP looking solicitations, like car insurance and other stuff.
We do not really aunderstand the mission of what AARP stands for today.
Twenty years ago when I first joined it seemed like the association was lobbying for protection of senior citizen rights and care, now, with this Obama care bull, it looks like a real betrayal on part of a special interest group.

Thank You for your inattention.

Dear Mr. Rand,

We the -membership- will be the one's who will endorse or not endorse the proposed healthcare plan.

The -membership- is AARP, and -we- will let you know where AARP stands on the issue.

Don't put words in our mouths until you ask.

Dear Mr. Rand:

I am an active AARP member since 2000 and very concerned and upset over the socialistic components of the planned healthcare reform. We do not need to dismantle the entire existing structure to have reform. Much could be done to improve segments of our current plans, such as tort reform and permitting insurance companies to sell across state lines, opening up true competition. Medicare, an acknowledged Government program, should be retained and improved. Medicare costs should be reduced and the savings used to help seniors, not illegal aliens. At 65 years of age, seniors should have the option of electing Medicare or their own private coverage.

The only public option I am in favor of is an improved Medicare.
I do NOT want the government running or controlling my healthcare. I do not want my tax dollars funding abortions and do not want covered abortions as part of any healthcare reform. I do not want, in any form, the government involved with end of life consultation. Would you?

I recently attended a town hall meeting in Kittanning, Pa and of the 2,000 or so people left outside in the parking lot, 90% echoed my feelings about healthcare changes. Those fellow citizens in the parking lot at the town hall meeting were indeed "Representative of America" regardless of what Arlen Specter claimed.

I am very concerned that our elders, who have sacrificed so much for this country, are now placed in jeopardy of becoming victims of a very socialistic health care bill and their loss used to provide healthcare to illegal aliens.

Please listen to the AARP membership that does not want the kind of ''reform" being contemplated. We need your voice and accurate representation. Please realize that your present position of supporting HR 320 and any of the other socialistic healthcare bills in congress or senate is not what the American population wants.

Thank you, JC Calhoun Gibsonia, PA / age 59

I am going on medicare in oct. under a medicare advantage plan. Now I hear Obama is going to do away with this plan.I havent heard a thing out of aarp opposing this. Aarp should be opposing this socialist health plan. The federal government has already stolen trillions of dollars from medicare over the years.Tell them to pay it back and medicare will be fine. I have read on the internet what aarp supports and I dont agree with it. You support the socialist left. I wont be renewing my aarp membership. Thanks for nothing.

Thanks but no thanks for your politics. You are just another liberal group connected to this inexperience disaster who has somehow been elected president of the United States. My letter cancelling our membership will be mailed in the next days mail to 601 E. Street, NW, Washington DC. You are a sham and simply a democrat mouthpiece for their party. Good by AARP.

I have actually read the bill. I am shocked that AARP would ever consider promoting this bill in any form or fashion. Did you not see some of the stupid plans they have included? The one that jumped off the page for me was the motorized wheel chairs. They will only be covered for rehabilitaion purposes. When I am in need of that type of apparatice, I highly doubt I will be able to rehabilitate as I will most likely be in my declining years. Have you noticed the administrative costs? I would think close to a billion dollars in salaries per year could be used to reimburse some drug costs to seniors. Oh, lets no forget the translators that WE will be paying for. Why should the American people have to pay for someone NOT to learn to English language? AARP, I am ashamed of you and myself for not having cancelled my membership yet, but my husband and I will be doing that shortly unless you retract your endorsment.

AARP:
I agree with Lisa Age 50 comment above, "Count me as a member who supports AARP's stand on reform!" I have read the House Bill HR3200. It is a great start!

Thank Barry and the AARP Team for taking a fact-based approach to health reform. We need AARP to help influence and shape the outcome for all Americans. The current health care
cost is Unsubstainable. Lisa's health insurance increased 42% since 2008. Overall heath insurance has increased 42% since 2000. When you have a fixed income, you cannot support an unplanned 42% cost increase.

In Summary, Americans need Health Care and it should not be optional nor unaffordable. Remeber, there are other companies that no longer provide health insurances. So everyone that does not have Health Care Insurances does not mean that they are Not working.

Does AARP also support?

Mandating coverage?
SEC. 301. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
For an individual's responsibility to obtain acceptable coverage, see section 59B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by section 401 of this Act).

Taxing individuals who don't have Acceptable coverage?
SEC. 401. TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

Support amnesty for the twenty plus million illegal aliens in the United States?
Most financial analysts believe this could financially crush Medicare and Social Security, because the majority of the illegal aliens do not have a high school education and as such will never hold good paying jobs creating a drain on social services that will exceed their financial input to the system. The bill states they will not be covered- but it is clear that Obama and Pelosi want those votes.
SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
and then
Sec. 1222. Demonstration to promote access for Medicare beneficiaries with limited English proficiency by providing reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Does AARP support this intrusion to privacy and waste of precious funds?
SEC. 440. HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EXPECTING CHILDREN.

I could go on....

I always believed that AARP was non-political and looked for the best interests of their members. I now know that is not the case. I am cancelling my membership and will join a plan not in bed with the Democratic party.

I am 54 years old. My wife and I were close to joining AARP. That is until this health care debate. I heard AARP said it did not endorse the health care bill. Then within days I was watching AARP ads supporting the health care bill. If you know anything about the "Complete Lives System" and Ezekial Emmanuel you will clearly see that medical help will be withheld as one gets older and older. Not exactly a position I would expect an advocate for the elderly to take, that is unless someone has been bought and paid for. I am sure your membership will decline and hopefully you will go out of business as you so onviously do not represent the elderly.

AARP,

I have been unhappy with AARP on several issues. I wish to resign my membership #0625315668. I am against proposed health care plans proposed and your support. You have been getting kickbacks for endorsing insurance plans and raising the cost of insurance this way.

Please confirm my termination.

Sincerely, John Davidson

Looks to me that you need to start representing the members of AARP and oppose Obama care. If not, you can expect my membership to expire along with my support for this organization. Also, it has been reported that AARP "might" have sent members e-mail addresses to the White House so it could send out unwanted White House spun information on Obama care. If you want to send mine as an "enemy of the state," go ahead. Under Obama's plan, I would not have gotten the tests that led to a stent being placed in my heart last week. Doctors would not have called for the tests because I had no signs of being sick. But, because my doctor was educated enough to call for a stress test, I had a 95 percent blockage repaired. I do not want government deciding which tests I can have. And I damned sure do not want a president who thinks doctors ask for extra tests and opt for surgery to get more money for themselves. Wouldn't that require doctors to work together illegally? I mean, does your family doctor perform the surgery or does he or she refer you to a surgeon? Do they get together and split the money for the surgery? Apparently, that is what Obama thinks - he says it enough. How stupid does he think we are? As for AARP - just sheep headed to slaughter.

I have been an ARP member for many years and I wish to withdraw my membership. I have read the CEO statement and I do not find it much different than Obama's. It seems strange that we have the best health care system in the world and we want to scrap it and let our goverment tell us how to live our lives. No where in the constitution does it say that it is the goverments responsibility to provide health coverage for any one, and I certainly don't want them telling me how to take care of my health..

Congradulations on supporting health care reform.

All of the arguments being levelled against health care reform were reminiscent of the TV ads I saw as a child growing up in the sixtees when Medicare was being proposed.

All they naysayers were wrong then and they are wrong now.

I applaud your courage.

WOW ! I thought I was alone.

Yes we need to reform Healthcare! But we don't need OBAMA care or Gov. run universal healthcare.

We need torte reform!

We need tax breaks!

We need more Doctors and they need help with their medical scholl bills, give them interest free school loans & tax breaks.

We need simple reform that is easy for everyone to understand not 1000 pages, that noone understands. If there is a lot of misunderstanding it is the Gov's fault for not having a clear plan.

If 15% of our citizens don't have healthcare manage the exceptions or those 15% don't change everything to fix a small amount of people.

I know Canadians and their Healtcare maybe free but they wait for services, that's a fact. If I have an issue I want to see a Doctor quickly not in monhts.

We don't need our Gov involved or running Healthcare. Look at the rtailroad or the post office. Gov can't run anything smoothly.

We need some regulation, to eliminate unfair rules like the pre-existing condition rule when changing jobs etc.

I have been a member of AARP since 2001 and it seems as this organization is way too liberal for me.

I don't trust or gov and I am starting to not trust AARP. My AARP dues are paid up through 2014, but I will be keeping an eye on who you support & what you support.

Many years ago, I had a teacher talk to me about a church doctrinal statement. He said, "It is important to not only look at what is included in a doctrinal statement, but what is excluded as well!" I believe many are missing the point regarding Health Care Reform. I believe the bill is written purposely vague, so that it can be made to cover whatever the politicians want it to cover. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but it will happen. These issues are never static, but continue down that "slippery slope". Government has rarely given up a program once it is implemented. Medicare in 1966 cost 3 billion dollars. It was projected to be 12 billion by 1990, but instead was 107 billion dollars. Quite a difference. Now we are not talking about billions, but trillions. And the federal government with a straight face tell us that they will cut costs! That has never happened and when they cannot afford to tax people anymore, who do you think will be on the losing end? It certainly will not be the young, but seniors. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, I have read the book "1984" and doublespeak seems to be the modus operandi of this administration.

I would like you, Barry Rand, CEO of AARP to listen to the interview between Fred Thompson and Betty McCaughey who is a patient rights advocate. She has read the whole reform package and is telling us the atrocities Obama is trying to push through. The elderly, which includes all the baby boomers, will be required to end their life and decline healthcare. This plan takes away the medicare benefits to pay for the healthcare for all the deadbeats in this county. Shame on you for backing a corrupted man such as this and using the office of AARP to help him destroy this nation! I'm cancelling my membership to AARP and so is my husband.

I am not sure how AARP can claim to represent me on health care, as I do not remember ever being polled. The government can't fix anything. All that they do is cause additional problems. If the members of Congress would also fall under any plan that they pass, I might be more open to it. I have health insurance that I pay for and don't wish to have "Uncle Sam" tax me more for those that don't have it. Since AARP seems to support social medicine and be aligned with the Obama plan, I consider the organization to be a PAC and will no longer be associated with it. As of today, my wife and I are no longer AARP members. Since our membership runs through July 2013, I will be calling for a refund.

I am a senior who supports health care reform with a public option. Many seniors are happy with their Medicare (government-supported) health coverage, yet they would selfishly deny the millions without insurance a public option.
I am appalled at all the misinformation and incivility out there.

I hope AARP doesn't "cave" the way the Obama Administration seems to be on the verge of doing.

I regret you have chosen not to take a real stand on this foolish and impossible health proposal. What proposal???
Who knows what it is? Not the polititions!!! How can we turn our health over to those who do not read, or understand what is truly necessary, and in the PEOPLES best interest, and not theirs... add me to your list of probable drop outs from AARP if you continue to go along with the "POWERS" THAT WISH TO CONTROL ALL THATS FREE...Phyllis Girvetz

I agree with your opening statements, but I am sure that that is a lot of "blue sky". That would be nice, but that is not what I hear from the president. He wants full control of everything. I don't appreciate AARP taking a stand or making rash statements to the press on behalf of its members without any imput from them. I strongly disagree with the plan congress has put forth.

As a long term member of AARP I'm so disapointed with the AARP position. Why in the world would we want the US govt to take up a project that is thousands of times bigger than Medicare when Medicare, SS, and any other endevor that they run is BROKE in so many ways.

I would like you, Barry Rand, CEO of AARP to listen to the interview between Fred Thompson and Betty McCaughey who is a patient rights advocate. She has read the whole reform package and is telling us the atrocities Obama is trying to push through. The elderly, which includes all the baby boomers, will be required to end their life and decline healthcare. This plan takes away the medicare benefits to pay for the healthcare for all the deadbeats in this county. Shame on you for backing a corrupted man such as this and using the office of AARP to help him destroy this nation! I'm cancelling my membership to AARP and so is my husband.

My husband and I have been members for 10 years. During that time we thought that AARP was working for ALL of us, not just some of us. We never thought that money from our memberships would be used to further a political issue--any political issue!! We assumed that the AARP was on the side of all seniors. Using our money for ads, commercials, or anything officially political for one party or another is not what we signed up for! We will be joining those leaving this "supposed"
advocate for seniors in search of a group that really cares about us and doesn't just follow a party line. We need a group that asks questions and demands answers,one that pushes for a better life for all of us!

The AARP POSITION IS A SELL OUT AND YOU CAN NOT HIDE BEHIND TRICKY, DECEITFUL LANGUAGE - YES - THE SYSTEM NEEDS REFORMS BUT WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER MISMANAGED,CORRUPT, BANKRUPT GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY TO "MANAGE" AND DICTATE OUR HEALTHCARE.

WE DON NOT NEED A SOCIALIZED, GOVERNMENT MANAGED SYSTEM AND THE PUBLIC OPTION YOU SUPPORT IS NOTHING LESS THAN A SNEAKY, POLITICAL MORE PALATABLE WAY TO NATIONAL HEALTHCARE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I HAVE NO INTEND TO RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP AS LONG AS THE CURRENT, INTELLECTUALLY DISHONEST LEADERSHIP TEAM IS IN PLACE.

I cannot believe that the AARP, the nations flagship for senior citizens has bowed down before the socialist Obama government! How did you ever let yourself get caught up in this insanity? I was on the verge of applying for AARP membership but, luckily, I heard that AARP was endorsing the government health plan first. I cannot understand the thinking of AARP leadership (if there was any thinking at all) in this decision. Please remove my name from your mailing list. Also, please do not enter my name on any Obama retaliation list.

Thank you,

tom Brown

I'm not renewing my arrp subcription. I do not believe in the obama plan. It is going to hurt more people then help. I would like to know that since they say this health plan would be like Canada does that mean that people won't have to go to Cananda any more to get cheaper prescription's. I would like to have answer to that question but I see there are quite a few people that have asked for a answer & have not received one yet so I guess that means I won't hear from you either. Bye Bye.

Dear Mr. Rand,
Since seniors have been the main target of the fear tactics, I do wish that AARP would sit down with the President and others crafting the health reform bill to make sure that the final bill is a) easy to understand, b) non-discriminatory, and c) a good option for all. AARP has power and a loud voice and as the organization that has supported seniors well for many years, it should be involved in the discussion.
The current bill is far from perfect but I have yet to hear any group/organization/dissenter offer a better plan. What we have now is not working for millions and as unemployment continues to rise, the ranks of those without insurance will too.
Right now insurance and pharmaceutical companies wield the majority of power and make our health care decisions. They have priced many of us out of even the most basic health care, have denied coverage for doctor-recommended procedures, and inflated the cost of prescriptions. There must be a better option.
Oh, and I am dismayed to read the hateful, snide and angry responses here - we are all grownups and should know how to voice an opinion respectfully. Really.

Reminder that the House Bill was being pushed (special interests) through the government and expected to pass prior to the congressional recess without any public debate/forum or comments about this 1,000+ page document. The debate is needed as well as the debate for the cap and trade bills.

Dear All,
First of all, thanks AARP for their commitment to the health of all your members.

Let me tell you my family story:

I used to worked for a telecommunications company with great health insurance benefits. I used to pay $41.00 per month for my entire family of three - $200 family deductible per year. Comprehensive dental plan, vision and hearing plan was around $25.00 per month. Overall, for less than a $100.00 I got the best health "care" in the world - no doubt.

Never thought of the millions of people that had no access to medical care until I got layoff in 2006. When the Cobra program was presented to me - the same insurance as an individual policy was going to cost us $1,500.00 a month. I started looking around for an alternative. The point is there was no alternative!!
We went without insurance for a about a year. As Murphy's Law proofed to us, I got very sick. My doctor quoted me $5,000 to get me all the medical tests needed. When I told him that was an outrageous sum he literally closed his door behind him and let me ROT!! in my misery.
I decided to go outside the US for medical assistance. For USD$300.00 I got all the necessary medical test, the medicine cost me USD$2.50. The plane ticket cost me USD$187.00. Overall, I paid less than USD$600.00 for the SAME medical test and treatment.
However, we needed health insurance. We knew that in case of emergencies, we could lose EVERYTHING we worked so hard for. Shopping around, the best choice for the money we were able to find was a $10k yearly deductible plan for $350.00 a month. That is if we had no pre-existing conditions. Any prior medical conditions the insurance told us we will not be covered at all.

This same plan has gone up 26% in the past two years. We are healthy people - exercise, eat well, no junk food, no major illnesses. The question is WHY?

I have some answers. This is what I found...

We ALL are feeding the insurance and drug companies greed for more and more profits. Believe me, I do not see anything wrong with making money. However, when you experience the same medical care in other countries for a fraction of what it costs in the US you start to wonder -
--How can insurance and drug companies justify a 26% increase in costs in two years?
--How medicines (chemically the same as the one in the US) are costing a fraction outside the US?
--How come a US company with merely 35K employees can provide health insurance at such low cost?
--How come member of Congress get better insurance than the taxpayer?
--Why are so many people going outside the US to get their medical care with the same doctors we pay to graduate?

We need health care reform now. There is no political agenda here - we need this for our lifes, our country future and the future of our children.

I pray that all of you who are against the health care proposal do not have a life changing experience like the one I had.

Sincerely yours,
MC DePena, M.Sc.

August, 2009

Mr. Barry Rand,

As I see it, you and the members of congress seem very confused about who exactly are your constituents? You are not a representative of your party nor are you a representative of the administration. I think you need to be reminded that you represent the members of AARP. What is it that you don't understand? The members of AARP don't want this bill or any other bill that puts forward Mr. Obama's agenda. We are citizens of this great country and are now being called un-American for standing up and expressing our views on YOUR plan for health care reform. What can be more American than expressing our views to OUR elected officials? I am one of those people and I'm here to tell you that the vast majority do not want YOUR health care plan. Take notice that I did not say we don't need some kind of health care reform, I simply said NOT THIS PLAN. If you and the members of congress and administration are not in the least bit interested in what your constituents are telling you, than it seems logically to me that you are no longer representing the members of AARP and they are not representing us. It is very likely that this will be profoundly demonstrated in November 2010 election.

I am 66 years of age, retired after working in the banking business for almost thirty years. I do NOT consider myself a Republican nor do I consider myself a Democrat. I have voted for both. I do however consider myself a conservative and a believer in the Republic that made this country great. When I am being told by my elected officials that I am un-American, a Nazi, the same as the KKK or Timothy McVeigh, a political terrorist, a member of a orchestrated mob, and much more for attending a town hall meeting with my representative to question his or her position on this plan (H.R. 3200) and most legislation to come from Washington, I am extremely offended. How dare they refer to me and others like me as un-American. I am not being paid by someone to speak, nor have I been organized by anyone or any organization (as members of congress have said), I am simply a concerned American citizen that believes that my ELECTED representative should listen to me and I believe you should listen to your members.

You can't or won't see it, but you, Congress, the Senate and the Administration are in the process of awaking an apathetic public. You can call us anything you want but this apathetic public has been awakened by you and will not be silent any more. For years the American public has been asleep and thus apathetic to what has been happening in Washington. I truly believe we are in the process of changing all that. For this and nothing else, I will thank you.

If the members of Congress think this is just about Health Care, they are sadly mistaken. This is much bigger than that. This is showing the American people just how out of touch members of Congress, the Senate and the Administration are. It is proving something that the American people have thought for many years but have never publicly stated. Our elected representatives firmly believe that the people of this country are indeed not capable of a single thought. That we need Washington to take care of us because we don't have the brains to take care of ourselves. That they are somehow above all of us and in their arrogance think that we as a people will not see through it. Well take notice, if our government does not return our country to the people, as it was established and based on the Constitution, than the individuals making up that government need to be voted out and replaced with representative with some semblance of common sense and principal and more importantly, someone who the people can TRUST and someone who will truly listen to their constituents. It is becoming very obvious to me that the present Congress, Senate and Administration are not those individuals. It is also obvious to me that the same can be said of you.

I heard one of the so called Nazis’, Katy Abram of Pennsylvania, attending Congressman Specter’s town hall meeting Aug 11, 2009, summed it up better than I can. She said ‘… this about the systematic dismantling of this country… As she said, I have never been interested in politics, (but) you have awakened a sleeping giant “.You are NOT interested in my opinion but I’ll say this anyway. In my opinion, you and your friends in congress and the administration, have made a fatal mistake. You have turned on the members of AARP. The same people that you are supposed to represent. It is my hope and opinion that that sleeping giant will speak out loud and clear come November, 2010 and more and more of your members will wake up to what you are doing and cancel their memberships like me.

I hear what YOU say about not supporting this bill. Frankly, I don't believe it. Your allegiance to the Democratic Party and especially Mr. Obama are well documented and in the end you are very much like our elected representatives. Simply stated you do not represent us but rather the political agenda of our President.

Please cancel my membership to AARP at your earliest convince.

Sincerely,

James P Ivey
1131 20th Ave
Deer Park, WI 54007

I find the AARP to be duplicitous in saying it is not endorsing the President's or Congress' health care (insurance) reform plans but placing ads telling people to call our representatives to support health care (insurance) reform. AARP cannot control what comes out of Congress or gets signed by the President. I am totally opposed to ANY bill unless it sticks to the actual issues - which are portability of coverage within and across state lines, the donut hole and tort reform. If Medicaid eligibility criteria has to be expanded to cover certain folks wanting coverage and unable to afford it - so be it. Nothing more than that, however, as government cannot -- and the people cannot afford -- any more. There should be NO mandates. And, finally, there must never be allowed government access to medical and/or financial records (beyond what currently occurs for Medicare reimbursement purposes. If AARP continues to support health care reform by implying support for current proposed programs, you may assume I will not renew my membership.

I am surprised and shocked at AARP's direction and position on so-called health care reform. I am not willing to continue as a member now that AARP's leadership has revealed themselves to be political partisans who endorse a liberal democratic party agenda, rather than bi-partisan advocates for the interests of senior Americans. Responsible and well-informed critics have written and are continuing to write devastating criticisms of the so-called health care reform proposals now in Congress. AARP should be informing its members about these issues, not merely serving as apologists for politically left wing, agenda driven "reformers" bent on altering this country beyond recognition. Given the difficulty of "resigning" from AARP and the widespread rejection of the Administration's views by seniors, the 60,000 members who have departed from AARP are plainly the only the vanguard, not the much larger bulk, of the group who will in time see alternatives more suitable to the interests of seniors. No one in Congress has yet proposed the basic elements of a program that has a realistic chance of providing better medical care to more people at reasonable, sustainable cost without sacrifice of quality or availability from the standards prevalent today and capable of promoting even better care for more people in the future. Until someone does, AARP should simply be calling for this to be done. Instead, AARP trumpets its purported commitments to a few piecemeal ideas as a disguise for covert support of proposals that have no chance of achieving any such result but inevitably will produce high costs and burdensome if not dangerous bureaucracy. AARP: Drop the political agenda and try to find programs that can work as we need them to work. If you cannot do this, then stop wasting our money and get out of the way.

I am cancelling my AARP membership. The only position the AARP should have taken on this issue is to inform its members of the pros & cons, then let us decide how we want to respond. By taking the position it has, the AARP has shown itself to be fully in bed with the Obama Administration. Shame on you AARP for taking sides on this and failing your members!

I am a 61 year old semi-retired proud American. We became the most prominent country in the world, as opposed to Great Britain and France who held the lead for decades, on the basic concepts of freedom, capitalism, and choice. The Obamacare plan erodes all three. We don't need socialized medicine at any level. Period. It doesn't work well in any other country in the world, and it won't work here. Doc's aren't going to work for less then they already get from the insurance companies. This is a cornerstone of the liberal socialization of the country that must be stopped. If the AARP continues even tacit endorsement of this proposal, its members should resign in protest and in disgust. We may need insurance reform and permission to purchase drugs from Canada, but we don't need government running our lives any more than they already do. Name one government program that works. One. Thanks

You people at AARP are speaking with a forked tongue. You have sold your members out to this Administration. You know that they will cut Medicare and Medicaid. They will force our Private Insurance Companies out of business. They are also forcing the small business owned out of business with the required health care payments for their employees as well as higher taxes.

If this cap and trade passes you will not have near as many members because their Social Security will be abolished and the will not have the money to pay their dues and your salaries.

It is bad enough what you are supporting, but to lie about it is even worse.

I pray God to help you live with yourselves.

Thanks

George LeCroy

THANK YOU FOR SENSIBLY SUPPORTING health care reform in this country. I came to the site to see if you were against reform and if you were, I would have left the organization. It is shocking how many people really believe that reform means ending the life of any elderly person. The Republicans and greed-mongers and naive folks in our nation are in for some terrible shocks if health care reform fails. Only the very, very wealthy will be able to afford care in a nation that stacks up poorly in longevity and infant mortality. We can and must do better. Where is all the misinformation coming from? Again, thank you.

For all of you threatening to give up your memberships because AARP supports reform of the system .... Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

"Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives."

Aside from the fact I disagree with your stance on Obamacare, I was wondering how you are able to justify your political bias toward the libral left as a non-profit organization. Why do all other non-profits sign documentation and have to provide a neutral stance and you seem to be able to disregard it altogether.

Another example of some pigs being more equal than others I suppose.

Flagged

I understand a good chunck of the AARP's budget now comes from federal grants. How much has President Obama promised the AARP for throwing its members and the rest of the country under the bus?

And why don't you tackle the "myths and lies" being promoted by the President and Democrats in Congress, like the lie that those of us with private plans we are happy with will be allowed to keep them? That is an outright lie, because Obama's plan (and yes, he has committed himself to at least the basics of one - didn't you get the email from Organizing for America, Obama's permanent campaign?) will load massive mandates on existing private plans until they break or their premiums go so high no one who now has one will be able to afford it.

If BHO really wanted to "fix" health care in America he would have included Tort Reform and Illegal Immigration in this HR 3200 bill.

I have heard that AARP has lost 60M members... but I have read ALL of the messages left on this site and can tell you that you will probably loose another 60M that will not renew their membership, and another 60M that have stated they will cancel their membership IF you continue to support this takeover of our health care....SOOOO, how will 180M fewer members effect your organization ????

As for me, I am mailing you my cut-up membership card and surrendering my life insurance policy for cancellation !!!! I will be joining American Seniors Association - - immediately, and invite others to join me there.

I've always known thar AARP was tilted to the left, however, this is the straw that broke the camels back.
Why on earth would we want to destroy a healthcare system that services 288 million people a year and comprises 17% of our economy and turn it over to a socialist regime. I can't continue to support such an organization.

You have my support for AARP's position in supporting reform of the health insurance system. I think you are doing good work in that you have listed the principles that you support, while not endorsing any existing bill (since the bills are not yet completed).

What I think you are doing is great.

I am hopeful that AARP will support a public option. Those "angry" folks who have resigned their membership in AARP were never on board. They despise President Obama, are self-absorbed and are not really looking at the entire picture. Please continue to support Health Care Reform. We have to ignore the politics and go for the best interests of all Americans.

I still don't even know exactly who AARP supports. I'm not always a big fan.

But right now I am more concerned with whoever is backing and instigating these people with scare tatics that result in coincidentally 50-60K resigining in a month.

RIGHT NOW I AM MORE CONCERNED WITH THE HYSTERIA AND ANGER AND LACK OF LISTENING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAN I AM WITH A BILL THAT NONE OF US UNDERSTAND YET AND IS ONLY IN ITS INITAL STAGES.

I think most people don't even understand how uninsured they actually are right now. How their current plans and big Insurers, big Pharma, hospitals and Dr's actually work. I don't think they understand that trying to let the consumer drive competition is really code for getting big business off the hook and letting the individual fend for themselves which makes it even easier for health insurers to rip them off.

So to AARP, to the Government we have a whole educational process that needs to happen...you'll never get everyone to understand or agree but at least those that are intelligent and rational can make an informed decision one way or the other after they get a a decent explanation in its entirety. I'm guessing a lot of these people have never even read some of your articles over the years on this subject. A few have actually been informative.

This letter was too mild and to vague to calm anyone who is afraid right now. A lot of people aren't internet savvy enough to spend hours and hours surfing web sites trying to figure this out. Others just dont have time.

So I suggest AARP make the effort to do that for it's members in an easy to find and easy to understand one stop format.

To the rest of you I say take a breath and step back and see who REALLY stands to gain from your fears? Big Insurers and Big Pharma...maybe AARP ? but certainly not you.

Our health care system isn't looking out for anyone really. They can drop any of us any time. In 40 years not one health issue I ever had was detected or fixed from a DR in one of my HMO/PPO plans. I've had to use alternative medicine for just about everything out of pocket. I'd rather be paying for that as part of a holistic health care program.

So lets stop listening to the propoganda, find the real facts and have a reasonable discussion.

AARP is supporting the President's health care overhaul. I disagree completely with that. The government should not be involved in competing with private insurers. ALSO, no employee/retiree provided health care premium benefits should be taxed. If AARP continues to support the President's plan, we will discontinue membership in AARP, and I will encourage others to do likewise.

JK Smith
Boise, ID

>They despise President Obama, are self-absorbed and are not >really looking at the entire picture.

Are you delusional or what? Thousands of seniors including life long democrats are quitting because this bill is flawed and will hurt them. Pick up a copy of the 1000 page terror and actually read it.

Sal

AARP will never recieve a dime from me as long as they continue to support the left. I can't understand why the would knowing that every country with government run health care rations. Obama said there were no panels deciding the fate of the elderly, and what care they would receive based on thier age when there was, now removed after everyone begun to become more aware. How can AARP support a bill that is changing daily. I assure you the big changes will come the night before a vote.

There are so many inequities in the present health care system that I am amazed that so many people seem to be saying "I've got mine -- the system is working just fine." There is no way that AARP can take a stand for or against any specific version of health care reform because there are several bills and many different provisions regarding medication costs, rationing (which is already in common use), and the dreaded death panels (which never did exist). AARP can only state that reform is necessary. Considering that so many of us have no insurance, that we cut our pills in half to make them last longer or that we get denied coverage because of "pre-existing cocndition" (and at our age, who doesn't have one of those?), how can anyone oppose some kind of reform?

Has anyone noticed that the most vocal opponents of reform are either folks who said from the beginning that they hoped Obama would fail (because success would give the Democrats an advantage in the 2012 elections) and people who have a financial stake in seeing that the present system stay just as it is?

No surprises in you stance and your waffling - the donations to liberal politicians by ranking AARP officials are public domain. Ditto to getting in bed with SEIU - perhaps one of the most corrupt labor unions in US history (lets remember its ACORN links). I'm thinking it is time not only to replace our government "leadership" (using that term loosely) but time to replace a biased and wrongheaded AARP leadership team. Just like the current administration won't make me cut run from my country, the current AARP leadership should NOT make us cut run a fine organization - let' stake back our country and take back AARP.

As a retired nurse, I can assure you the monopoly of the health insurance companies with it's rich CEOs are paying the republicans and employee to lie for them. I know first hand that the monopoly of the insurers control the medical facilities and doctors.

Until the public reads the proposed bill instead of listening to the misinformation provided to them, the insurers will continue to get rich while the middle class continues to go broke.

Seniors are already getting government run health care coverage(Medicare), the poor get Medicaid a government run health care coverage and the military get Tricare a government run health care coverage, so why are they screaming? That leaves the working class to suck it up and pay the high cost of insurance.

I am very happy AARP is supporting the Presidents plan for health care reform. As a Veteran it is hard for me to understand why government run health care is good for veterans but not good enough for everyone else.

In the recent month I called AARP to complain that President Obama has repeatly stated that he has the backing of AARP for the bill in Congress. The AARP rep stated that AARP has not endosed the Bill. I asked that the executive from AARP publically inform the media of this. I have not seen a strong statement yet!
I am not an operative of any organization!
I have read the current Bill and I along with others in both Tucson and Green Valley do not like most of the Bill.
While you identified that you lost 60,000 members, I believe this number is miss leading as many people like myself are upset with AARP and will not renew unless you become a true advocate for us. A true advocate would not allow the use of the AARP by a party to a Bill which is so harmful to seniors.
You MUST clearly identify to the media that you do not back the Bill and publically identfy concerns. The issue of "myths and lies" which you state maybe true so "some" degree, but as someone who has read the Bill and also uses services such as Liberty Counsel it is clear that the vast majority of the statements made on Cable TV and Radio are true. I can not understand WHY AARP is so blind. Be careful as you have already alienated may on you members and they will not renew their memberships! EVERY senior I talk to in Tucson and Green Valley AZ has basically the same concern that I have voiced and most are much more upset.
I hope AARP gets the message!

Dear Mr. Rand, I vehemently oppose ANY public option, no matter what President Obama calls it. I demand the freedom to remain in control of my own body and my own medical decisions and I shall not remain a member of AARP if they endorse any plan that moves my beloved country towards a socialist / European model for universal health care. For your information, this has absolutely nothing to do with race. I do not dislike Mr. Obama or his family personally, I simply disagreem which is my right. Sincerely, Beth Sears

There is too much misinformation and emotional reaction to this issue. I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT the AARP position on this matter. If we do not get it done now, it will not get done during our "golden years", and our golden years will not be so golden if it is not done.
I trust AARP!

we today are cacelling our membership after 20 years and request a refund of the 3 and a half years we are paid ahead. when we renewed our membership we knew you were goig left andfogetting the rest of us now when i see you supporting obama care i know you do not care for your members and i pray that al you top brass are fired so you can be common folk! when we are standing in line waiting to go to Canada for our care as they are looking to go to our system because people like you are blind to our needs.

If AARP continues to support any health care bill with a public option I will not remain a member of AARP. It is time to forget politics and take a hard look at other countries that have government run health care. When you are waiting months for a government panel to approve or not approve a procedure it won’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Let’s be honest this is not about better health it’s about career politicians wanting to control every part of your life. I will not allow AARP to use my dues to sell out the very people they are supposed to represent.

I do not agree with President Obamas healthcare reform. I am disabled. If this passes and I have to change to this healthcare reform, I have fear that I will not be taken care of as I am now. It says in the 1000 page article that if I do not change to the healthcare, I will be billed by the Government. I will have to pay them $2500.00. President Obama seems that he is out to end all private medical insurance companies. I learned about the problems Canada is having with their healthcare reform. It is so sad to learn what they are going through. They are upset if we change. They know that we are here so they can come to our country and save lives. AARP, if you dont know what Canada is going through, please talk to them.
We may be going through that same heathcare soon.
I want our country to stay free. Not turn to Socialism.
I want to help people in our country who cannot afford Medical Insurance. But Obamas is going down the wrong road. Thank you.

I object to being called self-absorbed for being against BHO and his socialistic ideals. I have worked hard all my life and I don't feel my hard earned money should go to support those unwilling to put forth effort to support themselves. The best interest of all Americans is to put everyone to work and quit rewarding those who refuse to support themselves by giving them for free what they should be earning. I too am cancelling my membership.

If you are supporting the President's health plan ( which clearly is implied by your TV ads), does this mean that you are also in favor of the Presdient's stated goal of eliminating Medicare Advantage plans? Over 10 million people participate in Advantage plans, and would be forced to move to different plans and most probably will have to find new doctors because many doctors refuse to accept Medicare.

It seems that the President is trying to come up with money to fund insurance for the uninsured by cutting benefits available to Medicare-eligible participants who have paid in millions of dollars over their careers.

Is this what you support?

i am totally against this gov run 1100 page health reform bill that no politican has read. i dont want socialize medicine. I dont want gov telling me what it will cost and what to cover. I am surprised that aarp would support a bill that hits us senior citizens from all directions. Also dont want the cap and trade bill or the card check bill passed, all three of these bills would bankrupt small business, which employes 80% of employees. So i hope aarp would read the bills and not be so liberal slanted. I been a member for 15 yrs now and i may not renew next year.YOU need to listen to all your members
from a angry member,
curtis

Obama wants to pull 500 Billion $ out of Medicare. Yet, millions of Baby Boomers are entering Midicare and Obama pretends that
there will be no reduction in services. AARP should publicly declare that tihs is impossible- if not, members should leave
AARP. Anyone insured with Medicare through AARP can disenroll at the end of the year and reenroll directly with
the insurance company ( tel. 1866-533-3734 ) and thereby
deny AARP royalty income.

The AARP's knee jerk support for this bill is sickening, pun intended. This has nothing to do with Obama getting a feather in his hat, an ideological victory or defeat. Obama will come and go, but we will be stuck with this bill. For those of you here supporting the bill because you support Obama, take another look. If you look at the "myths" Mr. Rand is referring to, they are copied verbatim from the Administration's talking points. The "we can't afford to do nothing" is straight from Obama's mouth. Nobody is proposing to do nothing, there are many good bi-partisan ideas. Let's implement tort reform and use those savings to extend coverage to the uninsured. But let's not water down the quality of health care for 80% of the American people under the guise of providing better healthcare for the remaining 20%. That is a false choice.
I wrote the AARP and told them I will quit if they do not disavow the this proposal and work on something that can garner a strong majority in Congress and among the population in general and seniors in particular. I don't hold out much hope.

I just want AARP to know that they have my full support. My wife and I are both members and it's great to see that AARP is standing up for improved healthcare options for all. Keep up the good work!

TELL US HOW AARP WILL BENIFT MONETARILY FROM OBAMA'S OR THE SOCIALIST HEALTHE CARE SYSTEM. WILL NOT AARP NOW HAVE A PIECE OF THE INSURANCE PIE BEING OFFERED BY THIS CATISTROPHIC EUROPEAN SOCIALIST SYSTEM.

FOLLOW THE MONEY! THAT WHAT AAPR IS INTERESTED IN.

MY ARRP CARD IS ON ITS WAY TO THE TRASH CAN.

As a health care professional for over thirty years all that I can say is that Obama care will be the end of the best and most innovative system on earth. All that we will get in return is a broken system like Britain or Canada's. Obama, Reid, Pelosi and our own pathetic Barry Rand are willing to lie and cheat everyone of us to advance their political goals which unfortunately for all of us are diametrically opposite to our health care needs. The AARP needs to truly become a vehicle for the rights of seniors and not for the advancement of democrat party ideals.

Don Straley RRT RDCS

Obama has some good ideas on a health plan. I believe a public option is a great idea and should be left in. All you people against it should open your ears and learn the facts (and please turn off Fox news.....they are poisoning the dialog.) AARP, please continue to use your critical thinking skills and don't be swayed by irrational fear. My husband and I will donate more to make up for members you are losing.

I am extremely disappointed in AARP's stance supporting the ongoing effort to nationalize the health care system. I support the idea of reform--much regulation is required--but cannot accept the fact that an 1000+ page bill (crafted by lobbyists and lawyers) rammed through the Congress on an artifical timeline is the solution.

Okay, so what is the truth - does AARP indorse the Pres's health care plan or not? I heard on Lou Dobb's show tonight that thousands of members were resigning from AARP because of their stand on the health care plan. Can AARP really afford to lose thousands of members? Doesn't seem smart to me. So the question is again - does AARP indorse the current health care plan?

Dang why is everyone freaked out. IMHO - we need a single payer plan. All we have to do is lower the minimum age of Medicare/Medicaid from 65 years old to (50? 40?)... down to ZERO.
Then we have full healthcare for all American Citizens. How simple can it be? And that shoves the Insurers who take all the money OUT the DOOR! Bye Bye insurance companies!
-Dave

What is being proposed is deceptive and leads in the wrong direction. Any gov't plan will evenutally, and very soon, run out of money, which will result in rationing, no matter what any politican says!! Look at England, France, Canada, Mass. etc, etc.

AARP is not serving its membership by not taking a strong anti gov't controlled "solution" stand. Unfortunately, it appears the AARP "inside the belt way" employees are more interested in preserving their position with the poltiicians than serving their members. It may be time for major changes in AARP!!!!! Don't worry, the politicans will keep talking to you and maybe have more respect for AARP if you do the right thing as long as your members don't flee, they are the basis of your influence!!!!

I do not agree with any of Obama's health care plan. when you add millions of people to health insurance, where are the doctors going to come from. who is going to treat all these extra millions. Who is going to pay for it. no matter what you say, it is going to come down to cuts in benefits,,,and the seniors will come first. We have already served our purpose and now we will just be using benefits. So we will be last to be treated and tested or we won't be tested at all because it won't be cost effective. We are not stupid. Granted health care should be reformed somewhat,,,but the government should keep their nose out of our business. I am satisfied with the insurance I have and we pay a good premium, but it willl cost even more when it's "free". I will be cancelling my membership.
Donna Black

I just cut up my AARP card, I cannot support AARP, or stomach its support for Obamacare with its death panels, rationing, deficits, and intrusion into my personal health care decisions.

AARP would do well to understand who it's supposed to represent. Its membership, not Washington.

Good-bye AARP.

AARP, in supporting President Obama's
health care reform says that if I like my
current health insurance, I can keep it.
I have employer provided insuance through
a very small company. I like it and want to
keep it. However, some of the bills floating
around Congress would force me into a
government run option.
Is AARP telling the truth?

I certainly hope those individuals that do not support AARP and the public option give up their Medicare, their Social Security and their veterans benefits.

Since AARP is an offshoot of Humana Insurance company, I'm not surprised that you haven't spoken up in favor of President Obama's plans for change. What is your position?

But you must realize that this movement is not going to stop, and eventually America will move up from #37 in the world for longevity and infant mortality that we are at today, to #1. In this information age, too many people are learning that we don't need insurance companies' profits in the mix of health care options.

We can never do this until we get a single payer government option, where citizens' money goes into a single pool, which then funds health insurance for every American.

The current system has companies such as Humana that are selling medical insurance to make a profit. But it turns out that many of these insurance companies are making a profit in a ghoulish way, by denying insurance, making a profit on health care, raising premiums and therefore contributing to the cost spiral in health care, charging too high of a premium in order to make a profit.

Insurance companies are strangling businesses--I saw lately where a business pays about $9600 per year for a family's medical insurance, while the business's employee pays for their part I think about $3600 per year in premiums, co-pays, and fees. But in Germany, Japan, the U.K., Sweden, France--all these countries have a national health care system and their businesses aren't burdened by health care costs.

There are a group of 6 doctors from Oregon, that are taking a motor from drive from Portland, Oregon on Sept. 8 and arriving in Washington, DC on Sept. 30. They are calling themselves the "Mad as Hell" doctors who are in favor of single-payer health care.

I urge AARP and Humana to support these doctors and their cause. Speak up and do the right thing. You insurance companies are strangling the whole economy and you need to pull back, invest in something like GM and their Volt car and green energy (wind for example) and get out of the health care business.

Tonight, my wife and I cancelled our AARP memberships.

Mr. Johh Rother, Executive VP of AARP recently said this :

"I guess what surprised me is the ferocity, it’s much stronger than I expected. It’s people who are ideologically opposed to Mr. Obama, and this is the opportunity to weaken the president.”
----------------------------------------------------
Oh really! I think I am opposed to it because:
1. If you don't take out insurance, you will be fined, potentially thousands of dollars!
2. If you lose your insurance at work - you have to purchase the 'public option'.
3. A governmentally assigned panel will determine the level and necessity of procedures based on longevity, seriousness of condition, etc.
4. And many more things!

AARP is NOT neutral folks. AARP supports this all the way and our money is being used for supporting Obama Healthcare. Sorry - that's the way it is.. I will miss AARP magazine, and AARP deals.. but I won't be represented by a 'socialist' leaning organization.

I love the health care reform and AARP. All hail the crimson king!

I am personally questioning whether I should have joined AARP. This is my first year as a member and always assumed that the organization fought for the rights of its members and took the position that was best for its members. While I agree that there is room to improve in the area of Health Care, I also think that we as Americans have the best options of anyone on the planet.

What I am not seeing from AARP is a strong stance against any attempt at socialization of health care and any attempt at governmental competition with private companies. If the government was so good at managing health care issues, then why are you (AARP Leaders) proposing changes to the part of health care (MEDICARE) they already control?

Why the double talk about Obama Health Care? You have put out a commercial about an emergency vehicle being blocked by vehicles that imply they are blocking its destination, ie, toward Obama Health Care. I DO NOT want socialized medical care. I know that the health care system needs fixed however this is NOT the answer. Publically you say you do not support the plan, yet everything I see you do says you DO support it. I am about to cancel my membership to AARP as have about 60,000 people at last report.
Suggest you truly respond to the needs of your membership or you will not have a membership to support your socialist programs.

Your statements even use the same verbiage as Obama and the socialists in his administration. If you want to support this additional slide into communism, at least have the courage to say so in your own words without spouting the Democratic talking points. That's what is wrong with the Left, none of you can think or talk for yourselves, you have to use the same words, the same lines, the same lies.

If you can't see rationing of health care due to the exorbitant cost this is going to bring, if you can't see that euthanasia will be next, then you are too ignorant to be in your position and you should have the decency to resign.

My opinions come from actually READING the entire bill myself. I do not get my opinions from talk radio, cable TV nor any other of the socialist media. I READ, I COMPREHEND, I ANALYZE and I THINK for myself.

You insult every person who disagrees with this by demonizing insurance companies, talk radio and cable TV thinking we are all too stupid to figure anything out for ourselves so our opinions have to be spoon fed to us. If you support this communist invasion of our country, then you are just following the party line without any thought to the people for whom you are supposed to be working.

My wife and I are concernd about AARP's direction. We have
never question AARP loyalty to it's members.

But recently AARP action appears lined with the White House
regarding NHC. Government controlled Health Care would
bankrupt this county. The government has a perfect track
record of failure ss, medicare, fannie mae, CFC, and a 1,100 page NHC bill to name a few. Any Gov dollar est. in the end
will be double+.

The government is responsible for this mess were in. We pay Congressmen to write laws and oversight the programs to
protect us. They haven't done the job and now we should trust them to run the NHC, not a chance.

For our money we expect AARP to oppose any government control of National Health Care. To gamble the U.S. future on these losers would be supid.

AARP should incourage the private sector to solve the Health Care problem.

The world is a very different place today. Information is power
and the membership is more informed then ever before. AARP
is risking the organizations end if they side with any Government plan.

This is a very serious time for AARP. Because of technology the
old strategies, smoke&mirrors, plausible denial etc doesn't
work. With the help of Technology the truth be told.

This is not a game or politics as usual. this is the future of
America and the future of AARP.

You say you are looking out for us? Excuse me? You just spouted the entire talking points, including the very same words and phrases, as the rest of the Left.

You are nothing more than another "czar" for Obama.

How soon will your contract as CEO be up for renegotiation?

AARP has lost its brand respect. I suspect your organization will never be able to recover from your biased handling of this issue. I know I will never consider being a member.

Obiviously, the US Chamber of Commerce and the major insurers have spent their 100's of millions well! They started shortly after President Barack Obama was elected the first African-American to be president of the United States by running ads designed to scare middle class Americans into believing that they would lose something. In that way, instead of being excited by the prospect 50 million of their brothers and sisters in this country could finally have the comfort, peace of mind and health that comes from having health insurance, they became afraid. The fact is everyone would gain. The present system is going down in flames as we watch. Health care costs increase each year by double digits even when inflation is flat. Emergency rooms provide care for the uninsured at huge costs. Costs that are passed on to those of us lucky enough to work for a company that offers a health plan we can afford to buy. We can not wait. The bill in Congress now must pass.

I have a list of over 1200 members and it's still growing,I urge you to listen to your members or lose 1200 plus members.We are happy with what we have and hope AARP will be responsible in any decisions that effect seniors.You don't buy a new car because one tire is flat.

Keith & Barb Smith

Just who do I talk with to get a refund? I do not want AARP supporting this GARBAGE and will not have my dollars do it. I want a refund. This bill (if there is one and if anyone has READ it) is disgusting. Why do you think that Americans would settle for this socialist crap without a fight. AARP, you've got to get a grip on reality. People will not SETTLE. We have lived TOO long, and have TOO much at stake for you to sell us out. What, gotta a plan for all your top people to have the same "health care" that the Congress has, so don't worry about the "little people"? Not gonna wash.

Mr. Rand,

First and foremost, this Country cannot afford to guarantee health coverage to all as healthcare is currently defined. Healthcare is currently an amalgam of wellness care and catastrophic coverage. Further, healthcare for all implies coverage for illegal immigrants and their offspring which are very much part of the reason healthcare is broke.

Second, although most will agree that healthcare is broken, it is a complex problem and what is broken has not been clearly defined and agreed to - leading to debate on solutions without an underlying understanding and agreement of the problems.

Preferred provider lists and formulary lists should be outlawed. because they take the selection away from the patient. No drug company should be allowed to sell drugs in the US at a higher price than they charge in other countries. Malpractice lawsuit rewards need to be capped. A solution needs to be found to the problem of persons seeking care at emergency rooms for non-emergency concerns, particularly when they cannot pay for the care either with insurance or out-of-pocket.

Patients should be advised of costs before agreeing to care.

Jeff Ivers

Hey Barry, stop the spin and tell the truth to your members (oh, remember we pay your salary). You and the AARP Board has sold out Seniors. The truth about Obamacare is out just like the Genie in the Bottle. You sound like those members of congress who don't care what the voters think.

Under the Dem Obamacare, medical treatment will be rationed. Young people will be taxed and older people will be rationed so that Illegals get their free medical care.

Seniors will suffer. Guaranteed That means that Seniors will die.

Isn't it interesting that I've seen no reference in the CEO's message to the prior AARP position that AARP would not support any plan which takes $$$ away from Medicare. Are the pundits correct? Do us mere AARP members who haven't consumed the Kool-Aid smell a deal here? Finally, can we request a refund of our membership fees since the "volunteer board and paid help" clearly don't represent the views of a large segment of the AARP membership--so we can join the American Seniors Association?

Isn't it interesting that I've seen no reference in the CEO's message to the prior AARP position that AARP would not support any plan which takes $$$ away from Medicare. Are the pundits correct? Do us mere AARP members who haven't consumed the Kool-Aid smell a deal here? Finally, can we request a refund of our membership fees since the "volunteer board and paid help" clearly don't represent the views of a large segment of the AARP membership--so we can join the American Seniors Association?

Now I remember why I didn't renew my aarp membership.
I cannot continue to Support a Liberal, Left Wing Organization that Supports Give Away Government Entitlement Programs.

I am 66 years old and never joined AARP because I think it does not care for the elderly but cares only for itself and collecting members dues.

Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security are heading for bankruptcy yet your organization would sell the financial future of your members children and grandchildren down the tubes to keep the money flowing from Washington.

It's a ponzi scheme, you know it, but as long as the cash flows in to pay your salaries you keep supporting it. Your support of the Government takeover of healthcare is just another step in your self serving greed.

Ed Inghrim
Hellertown, PA

From what I understand, the strongest points that you are supporting the Democrats health care plan coincidentally involve the insurance industry, which is something that you are involved with. How can I possibly believe in your efforts to persuade us when there is obviously financial motivation behind it? I used to think that your survival was dependant upon membership fees collected from elderly Americans, I now understand that, obviously, they are dependant upon insurance premiums that you collect from the policies you sell.
I strongly disagree that the plan is beneficial to elderly Americans, like myself. I feel that we have been paying our health insurance all our lives and now, when we need it most, they are planning to impose limitations that will restrict our care and cause us to lose valuable years of our lives, while living less comfortably for many of our remaining years.
I have lived under a similiar plan (I lived in the UK for almost 12 years) and let me tell you, that it is not pleasant for the elderly. Not only was I there, my then wife was involved in the health care industry and I knew of elderly abuse first hand from her accounts of the care that they did not receive.
The one thing that will reduce health care costs, with dramatic effects, is tort reform. Why, I ask you, is that not on any table? Why are you allowing the lawyers, who benefit from these lawsuits so mightily, to control this point in the legislation?
Both my wife and I will not be members, as if you really cared, if you do not do something positive to deflect the health care issues to something positive for all. This would include tort reform to prevent frivilous lawsuits as a major focus. Why, oh why, are you ignoring your membership to simply line your corporate pockets? Do your personal financial bonuses mean that much that you are willing to sacrifice the last few wonderful years of our lives for your own benefit?

I was going to give the AARP the benefit of the doubt until i read your "Myths" page which reveal your position that is clearly in support of this Administration's healthcare plan. You use as "facts" statements/talking points from this Administration and which are not supported by the house bill. Perhaps the AARP should read the Bill. And if you've read the Bill you sure aren't citing specfiics in support of your so called "facts". That you still claim people will be able to keep their insurance is not supported by the Bill. Neither do you make a case, with specifics, for how Medicare quality and scope of services will not be impacted when it's funding will be reduced by $300 billion. Explain this to this membership how the economics work in something other than sound bites and talking points. Economically, this makes no sense and there is no way you can support it with any real facts or data. And we're suppose to believe these statements? Until you start supporting your positions with real, sound facts, your will have no credibility. It is clear you support this Administration's healthcare plan.

What the AARP and this corrupt administration doesn't get is that people are upset becuase both organization's aren't being forthcoming with the truth and the people know they're being lied to. Worse yet, if you do realize this, then obviously you don't care. Your interest is in culling favor with this Administration and not with protecting the best interests of the people who help pay your bills and have entrusted their well being to you.

Just how might you think that some portion of another 47 million folks are going to be insured and that health care for all would not be "rationed" in some fashion?

You are delusional and engaging in spin - and I find it personally insulting that your message above seems to imply that we "don't have the facts".

Perhaps you and your Obama hacks can read the bill - focus on sections 1254 and 1271 in which some unnamed bureaucratic body is charged with ensuring lower premiums - without a clue as to how that might occur.

Sorta like "my proposal will save you money; hire me and I will figure something out later"

Your spinning support of this debacle will be your undoing. Count me out of AARP and in to American Senior Association.

We do not support the proposed Health Care Reform plans. Any further involvement of the government in our health care is not for the benefit of anyone.
We will be canceling our AARP membership if AARP endorses the plans with a public option. The long term plan of President Obama and the Democrats is to have a government plan, a one payer plan. This has been stated in 2003 and 2007. It may take 5 years, 10 years or 15 years. We do not want it to even start.

Yes, there are some problems with the current health care, but adding government to the mix will not help in the long run. What company can compete with the government? The government doesn't need to make ANY profit at all and can keep it running while it continues to lose money. Look at other programs run by the government - Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. They are all in horrendous financial condition. What makes anyone think the government can do it right here?

I now know why I have never joined your organzation. Backing the Obama health care plan shows me your all about power, not options for seniors. I didn't spend my life working hard for what I have only to retire with less so someone gets what I broke my back for.

I will never join this organization, and will tell everyone I know to cancel their membership. Your not looking our for our interest!

I am a practicing general surgeon, I will be approaching retirement age within the next decade. I treat the elderly on a daily basis, I've dealt with Medicare and government intrusion into the practice of medicine. It's a frustrating, inefficient disaster dealing with the government. Medicare hasn't been run efficiently without a drain on the taxpayer since its inception. To think Obama and the government can now run our entire health care system is insane.

I will never, ever support AARP as long as you give implied, if not tacit, support of ANY government run, socialized medicine program. You are betraying the future of our younger generations, you are definitely betraying the well being of our senior citizens now.

I've received AARP literature, magazines, membership requests. all unsolicited.
Please remove my name from your mailing list permanently.

I am a registered independent voter, I don't care which political party comes up with the best solutions to run our country well. For certain, the best health care solution is not from the Obama administration. I welcome an intelligent alternative from the Republicans, from anyone. Please! (Do I now have to worry my name will be submitted to the White House snitch czar?)

This is America - the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Let's respect and care for those who have contributed to America's greatness, our senior citizens. The AARP is a sell out.

I refused to join AARP when I became eligible because of their support for Bush's drug policy/BigPharma giveaway. However, because of your support for true reform, that will benefit everyone here even those with incorrect information about how it will work, I have decided to join and will ask my husband to do so as well.

Thanks, AARP, we appreciate your support.

So are you supporting H R 3200 (the Obama plan) or not? If you support it, I will cancel my membership, because I believe that inevitably it will lead to rationing health care and seniors will be denied care.

Web sites can be changed to reflect a different view in a very short time period. I accessed the AARP web site very soon after President Obama made his statement that AARP supported the House bill and AARP countered the comment. My review at that time was, if you didn't support it, you were so close it was difficult to see a difference. It now appears that the loss of 50,000 to 60,000 members has changed the AARP stance. Currently, I am 100% against a single payer option and the inclusion of any government ran option. Based on the people that have proposed this bill and the ones that are pressing for it's passage, I am total against any health bill being passed by this President and Congress as I do not trust them. I believe anything that they attempt to pass will be disguised as one thing and implemented as another. As far as I am concerned there are 545 people of 300,000,000+ that have succeeded in putting this country into a mess. For the last couple of decades they have over spent, ignored their constitutes, and have not stepped up a few hundred notches and are in the process of taking toward socialism while destroying any potential of getting out of the mess. I think it’s time for the people to take this country back from these individuals and work toward a better America. The chant starting in 2010 should be “Dump em all”. As for AARP, I’m waiting and watching, renewal time will determine if I remain a member or not.

President Obama is still not explaining how is going to fund his plans for giving the uninsured health care coverage without raising taxes on those making under $250,000. He HAS stated he will "save money now being spent on Medicare". I have heard several mentions of cutting the reimbursement to doctors and hospitals.
Why is the AARP now only allowing this plan to go forward but even supporting this very vague and costly scheme.
Low cost health care is a very noble goal but if the government will pay for it by taking my medicare, where is my low cost health care? After paying taxes for over 50 years, I find that I am being deprived of the benefits that I earned.
And we have not even begun to discuss the failures of our government in running other programs, both large and small.
"Pie in the sky" programs with smoke and mirrors funding is a sad and familiar practice but now they are playing with our lives. No wonder people are angry. Until someone in authority can explain the coverage, how much it will cost and how it will be paid for. Do not support this!!!!!

how can you excuse the removal of millions of dollars from medicare,,we have trouble finding Dr's now that accept Medicare,,my Dr. now says that it will get worse as they will opt out of Medicare,,THEY WILL BE NO DR'S TO TREAT US,,you are selling out to a system that will ration our care

I want to know if every member of the AARP Board of Directors and Mr. Rand have read all 1017 pages of HR 3200.

If they have, why haven't they presented an outline of the provisions for all the AARP members to review?

If they haven't, then they have no business taking a position on the issue-- especially if they claim to be speaking on the behalf of all the AARP members.

Anyone want to bet none of them have read it? Or any of the other bills, laws, and porkbarrel idiocy it refers to on some of its pages?

Seniors aren't stupid. They can use computers. They know how to Google. They can read. And they know cowpatties when they see them.

And HR 3200 is one big cowpatty.

My husband and I just joing AARP last month. I'm happy to know that AARP is endorsing President Barack Obama's Health Reform. As a cronically ill patient for over 15 years, it is imperative that Health Care Reform gets approve and to offer a Public Option. I have the priviledge to work in a company that pays for my insurance today, but if I loose my job tomorrow, I would have to pay over $1500 a month only for my medications. There's no way I would be able to afford that. This is outrageous. I can't believe there are people out there that are against a HealthCare Reform that will benefit millions of people. The Health Insurance Companies are destroying our small businesses, our economy and most importantly people. Their only interest is profit, not the people wellbeing. How can people be so stupid and not want to get this bill approve.? I just don't get it!!!

Dear Mr. Rand,
My wife and I are young members of AARP in our early 60's. We cannot continue to be members of AARP if AARP endorses the Obama health care plan that provides for government run, one pay, health care system. We do not need socialism in the USA and particularly not in health care. Granted, some modification or revisions needs to be accomplished regarding how insurance carriers administer health insurance to seniors, but it should never be government run.

Mr Rand, do you and AARP support the Obama proposed health care legislation? (Yes or No)

Regards, BTM

I just cancelled my AARP membership and I am telling my family to do the same.

The AARP and Obama can go to hell.

YOU WILL NEVER ENJOY ME AS A MEMBER OF AARP BECAUSE OF YOUR REFUSAL TO LISTEN TO YOUR CURRENT MEMBERS WHO SAY GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE, NO WAY IN HELL.

YOU ARE SIMPLY DESTROYING YOUR ORGANIZATION AND GOOD RIDDANCE..

Dear Mr. Rand, I am one of the 60,000 that have left AARP and proud to be one of those who left. I can't believe you and the AARP support the current health plan in any way as it will cut and ration medical care for seniors. It's obvious to me that President Obama has you in his pocket and has made a deal you can't refuse. Good bye!

I cannot believe my eyes. AARP endorses the Obama health care plan. I have always considered AARP to be an Advoate for me and all of the individuals like me without a loud voice other than AARP.

I have a question and would like it answered if this blog is monitored. How do I cancel my membership? If AARP now supports selective LIFE, I no longer want or care to be associated with ou. Please respond to my email.

YOUR ARROGANT ELITIST ATTITUDE TO YOUR CLIENTLES OPINION'S HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT SUPPORT YOU EVER AGAIN..GOOD BYE FOR GOOD.

Mr. Rand needs to resign. He has been so caught up in double speak AARP has little if any credibility left. Mr. Rand does not represent our household in his support of the government's Health Reform Plan. If he wants to do anything why not stop the supposed one half trillion dollar "fraud" in medicare and work toward plans to prevent it's projected bankrupsy along and to save Social Security......and, just why would be want to pick up the expense of an 48 million people including the 12 million folks that are here illegally with many more to be released from CA. prisions due to overcrowding?? AARP does not represent our household and should not endorse anything without consent of the membership reagardless of how enamored Mr. Rand is with the bill.......which I doubt that he has read ....we've studied enough to know it does nothing for seniors and adds trillions of debt for the future generations.....AARP is not our spokeperson!

Barry Rand,

The message that you just released to you AARP members (excerpt below) leaves absolutely no doubt that you are DEFENDING & PROMOTING the left leaning healthcare reform. I am completely shocked that you are rubbing this in the face of your members. 60,000 members have left - many more millions will now soon follow.

Nice knowing you AARP !!

" We're also working to dispel several of the myths and lies that have warped the health care reform debate, targeting older Americans in particular with horror stories about euthanasia and rationed care. We believe that, at a time when a lot of the information about health reform surfacing on the Internet, cable news and talk radio simply isn't true, it's important that each of our members are armed with all the facts about this very important debate "

Its unfortunate that AARP is talking out of both sides of their mouth - and that AARP has become political instead of looking out for their members. You say you are not endoring Obamacare yet plasterd all over your Website are your endorsements and encouragements for members to support this bill. AARP you should be ashamed of yourself. It is evident your members are not the dottering old fools you take them to be. You KNOW that the later years of life are when the most and best healthcare is needed yet you are trying to tell your members to support a bill that absolutley will cut care for people in that stage of their lives. Yes the health care system has some flaws...and the flawed areas can be fixed without throwing everyone down a socialized medicine government run healthcare system shoot! My God the government can't run the Post Office and you think they will be able to run healthcare? Can't you see this is all about more government control? Forget that...how about we don't want the government involved in our health care period. Shame on AARP!!! I will never join now.

Health care reform should start with limiting the amount of money that attorneys make.The cost of insurance for doctors is a huge problem but I don't hear or see a thing about this in any plan.
I wonder why?Guess the smarmbag lawyers need to get theirs after all the support they give the dnc.
I am sick of aarp only supporting the left.Color me gone.

If AARP supports Obamas Health Care ajenda we (husband Merlin) will not be members. We have read up and listened to pros and cons and we definitly do not want this bill. We do not want government running our health care any more than it already is. No! No! No!

Isn't it amazing that supporters of this effort to reform our health care system into what is primarily a socialist plan, as
Rosemary Broadbent does above, just happen to recite the "Democratic Party Talking Points" instead of passing any indepth valid observations. You may not care for the pages establishing Doctors as "End of Life Concellors" being to refered to as "Death Panels", but Rosemary, they DO, in fact exist in the current version of the house plan, So why don't you burn 4 reams of paper & three ink cartridges, download , print & read it, as I did & find the truth for youself instead of calling others Obama Haters & spouting false statements!

Fortunately by the time we were old enough to join AARP, we figured out that you're just a bunch of over-the-hill left-wing kooks. Sounds like a few others are finally figuring that out too. LOL!

Dispelling myths about the program? I think the reports about the bill, including Sarah Palin's observation about the death counselors (I saw that before it was reported in the news, unless "end of life" and "death" are different, which is fairly preposterous).

There is very little "healthcare" in the plan, but there are lots of rules. What's really missing is TORT reform. Medical malpractice insurance is costing ALL of us way too much money. Why? Because we have these ambulance chasing law firms advertising all kinds of stuff on TV about how they can get you millions - money you deserve. So who gets all these millions? Mostly attorneys.

But what is the impact? Everyone in the health care field is concerned about being sued by some ambulance chasing lawyer, like John Edwards, or the numerous class-action law firms who make millions and pay members of the class peanuts. When there is a chance of a big settlement, insurance rates go up, and everyone I know inthe medical community pays ridiculous, perhaps even asinine insurance fees to protect themselves against attorneys who are just opportunistic thieves.

So what in the health care "plan" deals with this very high price for those in the medical community? It's not there.

Obama will spend billions on banks, auto companies, but then accuses doctors of malfeasance -- his story about the pediatrician choosing between a simple approach to a sore throat, or removing a chiild's tonsils, and chooses the latter because it pays more -- this just proves that Obama is utterly clueless, along with the folks representing his plan.

How can anyone support a plan that is so clearly missing a major reason why healthcare costs a lot of money. Doctors even order extra tests to avoid being sued.

Last, pre-existing conditions: Insurance is about risk management. A pool of people with similar attributes is expected to have a predictable incidence of problems and payouts, so the insurance rates can be reasonable for a group with similar attributes.

Toss in a pre-existing condition, and it's no longer insurance, it's not a probability issue, or a statistical or actuarial issue, therefore it's not an insurance issue. Forcing companies to take on a patient with a preexisting condition, and not charging more for the insurance, simply offloads the medical costs to everyone else, making it cost all of us more for insurance.

Health insurance should be arranged BEFORE the condition arises, not after it is detected. How is that fair to others?

As it stands, forcing the insurance of people with pre-existing conditions is just free health care, it's not insurance.

The Obama health plan needs to be totally scrapped. They need to start with Tort reform, then deal with fraud and abuse. we do NOT need Dr. Obama advising us on any healthcare issue, not one.

I am sickened by AARP's stance on this issue. The Obama administration has done absolutely NOTHING for this country except to hire all these damn "czars", waste $790 bill on a so-called "stimulus" bill and try to shove this mess of a health care bill that they haven't even read down our throats? - do I want to trust this government to even be in the same arena as healthcare - I don't think so!! My parents are AARP members and I have encouraged them to look at The American Seniors Association (www.americanseniors.org) - I have read over their website and was very impressed. They pride themselves as "The Conservative Alternative to the AARP" - I read over their website and decided I would definitely trust them in providing properly for my folks.

Health Care insurance companies need change, not health care itself, for Pete's sake. Blue Cross denied me coverage when I was 64 years old, because I had been diagnosed with COPD, although I had no symptoms and was recieving no medication or treatment for the condition.

Subsequently, having no medical insurance, I was hospitalized, NOT for anything to do with COPD, but for internal bleeding, requiring 3 pints of transfusions, due to diverticulitis, which I had never been diagnosed with. My hospital bill was $32,000. I applied for, and was eligible to receive a grant, because I live in a rural county, which paid for my hospital bill entirely. Otherwise, I would have been forced into bankruptcy, as there was no way I could pay off $32,000 within my lifetime.

Prior to this, I was paying $300/month for a private health plan (thru the same company that AARP endorses as a supplement). After a year, I was unable to afford continuing to pay the premium (It was more than my rent payment!), and I dropped it after I realized that the company really did not want to pay any of my medical bills. It was much cheaper just to pay my doctor for my several doctor visits per year. Of course, it was after I cancelled this policy that I was hospitalized. I am now deeply grateful to be covered by MediCare., and I do have an affordable supplemental plan, but not the one recommended by AARP, which in my opinion is not affordable and does not provide adequate coverage.

I totally agree with Jerry Granderson, (up near the top in comments) in nearly everything he says, but especially:

"Finally, whatever is done, I firmly believe that all the cooks need to eat what they have prepared. In other words, all members of government, elected and appointed, should be required to receive their health care under the same plan as citizens at large."

Absolutely. Then, perhaps the Senators & Reps would actually READ this 1000+ page bill to find out how it would affect themselves, and their families! I also think you have the responsibility to advise AARP members of the little hidden tidbits in this bill, such as, probably within five years, most people will not be able to choose their own health care coverage...Again I quote:

"as part of "grandfathering" current plans, that there be no changes to terms or conditions of these plans - para (a)(1). This includes a change in services provided or premium costs. We all know these items change each year.
· Furthermore, para (b)(1) states that after 5 years all of these grandfathered plans must meet the proposed public (i.e., government-run) Health Insurance Exchange requirements.

Thus, in a short period of time (5 years or less) everyone will be forced out of his or her current medical plan into the government's “Exchange” (or a private equivalent). "

And, if you refuse to go into the government's plan, I think you MUST INFORM YOUR MEMBERS that those who refuse, will be charged 2.5% taxes when they file their income tax returns, as a Health Option Tax!!!!! Look it up, it's in the bill!!!! So much for not taxing anyone making under $300,000 for health care. It's THERE.....AARP needs to read the bill, and inform it's members of the realities of that bill. I believe that AARP has not done this, because of the liberal socialist leanings of their CEO, who I believe would be delighted to inpose Mr. Obama's health bill on AARP, as long as he doesn't have to be covered by that plan!!!!

Wake up AARP members, you are being sold down the river.

I have asked the AARP Membership Department to cancel my membership in AARP effective immediately. I cannot support an organization that supports any government controlled or government administered health insurance program (even co-ops). I believe that the government can do some things to correct the deficiencies in the health care industry, as well as Medicare. Why not start there? Why not approach the problems that exist strategically, as a surgeon might? Instead, our current administration has determined that using a chainsaw is appropriate. Don't fix what "ain't" broke. But do fix what we know isn't working such as outrageous prescription drug costs, malpractice insurance costs that chase good doctors to other states, and the ever increasing cost of paying for healthcare for those that enter our country illegally. Until AARP listens to its membership and changes its position to support Obama's obsession to implement a federal health program, I will not support AARP.

No to the Obama health care plan. We are currently in the worst economic condition sense the 1930s and we want to fund a gigantic new federal program? Is there no common sense in Washington? AARP needs to reconsider its position or lose its credibility.

Mr. Rand -

You state "Doing nothing is not an option." If the proposed changes to our health care system will weaken it, or be so expensive as to bankrupt our country, then Doing Nothing is an Option. It is better than destroying our current system. The response of AARP in this issue smacks of partisian politics, and not an objective assessment of the issues that I had come to expect of your organization. Perhaps you should listen to your members before putting forth a position statement.

I am truly outraged when Obama continues saying, as he did so again in Montana and Colorado, that his Health Reform plan will not affect my Medicare benefits. Then he proceeds to say that they will be taking $175 Billion from the insurance companies by removing subsidies from the "Medicare Advantage" plans! What is so outrageous is that AARP is marketing the Medicare Advantage plan with United Healthcare and Obama still states that AARP is onboard and approving his Health Reform plan!

My insurance card states, "AARP/MedicareComplete from SecureHorizons" and I want Obama and the democrats to keep their hands off of this coverage provided for seniors. His plan is to redistribute health care coverage to the illegals and others in his community organizer groups like ACORN and SEIU.

You need to be concerned about health care for your membership that is made up of seniors! If AARP is designed to support seniors, why are you not standing up for our health care instead of caving in to Obama and his liberal incompetents in congress? Is it because you can make more money by pushing your Medi-Gap Insurance plans?

Your organization will continue to lose members as long as you allow us seniors to lose our MedicareAdvantage plan. Even though Secure Horizons is an HMO, we are pleased with the health care that we receive and we are able to understand what is covered and what the co-pay amount will be for medical services provided. Please respond with AARP's position on this issue.

CEO Rand:

I am disgusted with AARP's support of the democrats' health care "reform" proposals that would impose the most radical social change on all Americans in the history of this country.

Your organization is not representing the best interests of the elderly in this health care reform debate. I will be cancelling my membership in AARP, but will wait until after September 12 so that I can have apply AARP's discount to help pay for my trip to Washington, D.C., for the march against all of this madness by self-serving politicians and greedy lobbyists, including those pro-ObamaCare lobbyists that do not support the folks who are dues-paying members -- like the AARP.

AS SOON AS I RETURN HOME FROM THAT D.C MARCH, I WILL NOTIFY AARP THAT I WANT MY SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLED!!!

I say good riddance to all those short-sighted former members who have left or are contemplating it. It is very sad to see how the over 50 crowd can succumb to the mongering and distortions of the right. Maybe they're just victims of the same kind of propaganda that the NRA holds over their membership, paranoia supreme. They want my health care, they want my gun--- PLEASE.

Health care reform is needed and requires intelligent and thoughtful discussion to come up with a compromised resolution. Hopefully this will combat all the misinformation coming from lobbyists, far-right talk show hosts, and others who want to scare us.

Despite the current disillusional political climate I am hopeful that the majority of Americans will allow for cooler heads to prevail.

WOW!

Look at ALL the AARP members canceling their membership because of your decision to back Obama's health plan!!!

I'd say you're a fool A. Barry Rand for supporting socialism in America. Don't you know this greatest generation fought fascism and socialism and now YOU'RE supporting it???

Either you've been bought off, A. Barry Rand, or your backing Obama because of skin color. That makes you a racist. And you should be removed from office... along with your "bro."

Dear Mr. Rand:
As an AARP member for 13 years, I believed that AARP was dedicated to the representation of its membership’s opinions and needs. I am shocked by the approach AARP is taking in the support of “health care reform” without providing a venue for its members to be heard. Why should I continue to belong to an organization that doesn’t represent my opinion or provide an open forum for its members to present their opinions and questions.

I challenge you to go to the AARP web site and quickly find a way to state your opinion on various issues. Then go to your Senator’s or Representative’s web site and look at their approach to collecting constituent opinion. The world has entered the electronic age but there is no way to send an email to AARP to “weigh in” on an issue. But I can certainly buy health insurance and other services at AARP!

Having searched the AARP.org and the HealthActionNow.org web site, this the only way I have found to raise issues or ask questions that are not in support of the current health care legislation going through Congress. If AARP was truly seeking to represent its membership, it would be as easy to offer a negative opinion as a positive. HealthActionNow.org displays a map indicating that over 1.25 million people or approximately 3.6% of the AARP membership support the health care legislation. But are they AARP members? I found that I could have signed the petition without being an AARP member. How many do not support it? From my attendance at a Pete Sessions’ town hall meeting with over 500 people present (many were turned away due to the size of the venue), there was little support for the health care reform in its current form. AARP needs to listen to ALL of its membership and stop biasing their stance in favor of legislation that AARP believes will line its corporate coffers.

From my prospective, the AARP is not representing its membership but is, in fact, representing AARP self interests
HealthActionNow.org states that myths and scare tactics have contributed to the negative opinion of the H.R. 3200. But the myths presented on HealthActionNow.org have some truth in H.R. 3200’s language and should not be so quickly “swept under the rug.” (See Attachment 1) I have spent a good deal of time listening to the opinions of others, the press and the news. I spent two hours listening to an AARP “town hall” teleconference where only H.R. 3200 supporters got to raise questions or tell their story. Yes, there are misrepresentations on BOTH sides of this issue in all of these venues. But I have also spent time reading all 1,017 pages of H.R. 3200 and some of the proposed amendments. I find that many of the issues (myths) that have been raised have basis in fact and should be cause for great concern. There is no reason to rush this issue through Congress against any given schedule. It needs adequate review by all sides to get it right. Our health care system is far from perfect, but it is effective and provides superior health care results.

Is there waste? Absolutely! But much of the waste is driven by regulatory and legal issues. Many medical tests are performed needlessly to avoid litigation. Many tests are repeated because patient privacy laws restrict the free flow of medical information. Many doctors take the course of treatment that reduces their exposure to law suits versus providing the most cost effective health care. For example, your personal physician can’t legally prescribe medication without seeing you in person. Often the office visit is unnecessary because the symptoms are obvious and represent what is “going around”. So we all pay for office visits and tests to assure that the diagnosis is correct and that the medicine prescribed is appropriate. This is also driven by reimbursement rules.

If reform is due, the Government should address some of the following issues:

1. Drug companies spend approximately 25% of their revenue on advertising prescription drugs and another 10-12% on “management costs”. They still record profits as high as 26%, with the average for the top ten drug firms being 17% - far higher than any other industry. Consider banning drug advertising on TV and radio which creates an “artificial need” for treatment. (Reduce drug cost)

a. Consider Government funding of drug research and release the “approved” drugs as “generics” with multiple suppliers. (Generic drugs are far cheaper)

2. Smoking is a proven health risk causing chronic disease and costly treatments. Smokers and tobacco producers should pay these costs directly. Smoking should be banned in all venues outside the home. (Smoking contributes to health cost)

3. Obesity is a proven health risk. Provide incentives for losing weight and penalties for extreme obesity. (Obesity contributes to health cost)

4. Fix the litigation processes resulting in huge settlements for first time offenses, even when medical providers make honest mistakes. (Reduce liability insurance expense)

5. Change patient privacy laws to enable free sharing of medical information among care providers as authorized by patient. (Reduce redundant testing)

6. Make information on health care provider performance public – stop hiding performance of providers providing substandard care at high prices. We grade our school systems and publish that data, do it for health care providers. (Let the free enterprise system work through informed consumers)

7. “We have 45 million uninsured today”, says President Obama. But how does that number break down. How many are Americans or aliens living here legally and paying taxes? How many can afford insurance but are “self insured” and don’t buy health insurance out of choice? How many receive care through Medicaid or S-CHIP? It sure looks like we’re about to create a Government nightmare to address a small percentage of the Americans and legal aliens in the U.S. (Focus on the problem population which may be as low as 9 to 10 million!)

8. Enforce the current immigration laws or change them. (Illegal aliens are not paying taxes and should not be given entitlement benefits. Although H.R. 3200 doesn’t explicitly provide care to illegal aliens, Medicaid funding provides care through public health care systems at the local level. Health care providers can not deny care to an indigent person or ask about immigration status. Since Medicaid entitlement is part of H.R. 3200, H.R. 3200 is providing free care to illegal aliens.

9. Finally, the AARP should support the position that any health care program good enough for the general public is good enough for Congressmen, Senators, staffers, and other elected officials that participate in “special Government insurance” programs. They need some “skin in the game”. (This should include Social Security and Medicare.)

While it is fair to say we can’t afford to do nothing, we certainly can’t afford a health care program that is guaranteed to bankrupt the country. We simply can’t afford a deficit spending program of the magnitude proposed.

If, heaven forbid, it is as bad as some say and the private health care insurance system collapses, we will then be stuck with a single payer system. We only have to look at Great Britain, Canada, and our own VA system to see it in action. Long waits, with substantial bureaucracy, for rationed cookie cutter care using ten year old technology and medicines.

To summarize the issues fairly in a 1,017 page document in brief letter is impossible – for AARP to be unwilling to take a fair poll of its membership in inexcusable. Why should I remain a member of AARP and not join the thousands who have dropped out? If you do not seek my opinion on issues of this magnitude then you can not fairly represent me. Since at most 3.6% of the AARP membership is in favor of the H.R. 3200, I can assume that a large percentage is opposed with some undecided. So how can AARP’s support of H.R. 3200 represents its membership’s opinion? If my figures are wrong, show us all!

Should there be any confusion, I strongly oppose the H.R. 3200 in its current form and request that AARP fairly represent its membership to the Congress.
Sincerely,

B. D. Zeigler

Copies to:

AARP
601 E Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20049
Attn: Jennie Chin Hansen, President

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison(R, Tx)
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4304

Senator John Cornyn (R, Tx)
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Congressman Pete Sessions(R, Tx)
2233 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4332

A government run health care program isn't an option logistically or financially. States and communities can determine how to handle their own health care without federal government interference. It is truly amazing what a community can do to solve problems when given the opportunity to do so.

The debate over the healthcare reform bill rages on; as it should. I find it almost humorous that anyone can take an affirmative position inasmuch as no one in congress seems to have read it and no one seems to understand what is in the 1000 page plus ream of paper. Frankly I doubt that even AARP has read the bill. One day AARP says they are not backing the bill; the next day you say you are. The flip flopping is just about the same as the Obama administration is doing regularly these days on many many issues. The outrage against this ill thought, ill conceived and unread/understood bill by the members of congress and others such as the AARP is a crime. It seems to me we are being led down the primrose path to the ruination of this great country. Just look at the deficit being accumlated. Enough is Enough!! The only salvation is 2010 when the citizens of this nation have the opportunity to send packing those in Washington who appear to delight in participating in the process of turning this country into a socialistic state. Insofar as AARP is concerned, I request that you discontinue sending me any information concerning your organization. You people don't seem to be able to take a position and stick with it---either that or you are unable to gain a manner of consistency in the story you are trying to tell the public.

By the way I am not a member of a Mob, I don't belong to the brown shirt club and I am not a Nazi. I am a red blooded citizen who is concerned for this country

I hope you have looked at the history of Goverment run health care, namely V.A. Medical centers and Hospitals. You are not serving your membership by helping and supporting the creation of another bureaucracy.

Military Hospitials staffed by military personal work well, but when a service person is discharged and has to go to V.A. facilities they soon learn that bureaucrats are only interested in putting in thier time.

I am against all the false "rights claims" that we hear and read about. Lets stick to the orignal "Bill of Rights".

Mr. Rand,

If you do not step down as CEO of AARP this organization will be destroyed. You large campaign contributions to Obama and other Democrats show that you are a partisan political individual and should not be in charge of an organization that is supposed to be non-partisan politically in its activities.

The AARP's position on the Health Care bills is not in the best interests of its members and is simply a reflection of your and the Board's political views. In the past the Board and leadership have been very careful in their political views relative to the organization and the Board was equally represented by Republicans and Democrats alike.

We need a CEO that does not take sides except one on the side of its membership. You obviously did not understand that when you took the position or were you advanced into the position specifically because Obama and the Democratic Party could count on you to support their take over of Healthcare in this country?

If you stay ever more of us will go.

You have left me no choice .There's no room for me
and obama in your bed.Therefore I am canceling our
subscription to aarp. Mr. Rand,I don't think it would
hurt you to listen to these cable shows,that you seem
to be putting down.You might learn something. Right
now,I don't think you know where you stand,but I do.

I have cancelled my membership.

I want a darn refund!

Anyone saying they don't want "government-run" health care system needs to cancel their Medicare coverage after they call AARP to cancel their membership. After they call Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) they need to call HumanaOne at 1-866-672-9165 and try...just try...to enroll in an individual health plan. Please...just try...And I hope to GOD himself none of you have any pre-existing conditions.

Actually...it doesn't have to be Humana. Call Blue Cross, Aetna, United Healthcare, or Cigna and see if you can qualify for individual health insurance plan. If you are over 50 yrs. old and can qualify for individual health insurance then you are one of the lucky ones. If you have a pre-existing condition ranging from toenail fungus to open heart surgery then my prayers are with you.

By the way...I am 26 years old and I work for one of the above health insurance companies. I work behind the scenes. I mainly deal with people who are on Medicare and looking for prescription drug coverage and/or medical coverage to supplement their Medicare. These people, who are also members of AARP, complain to whoever will listen about their prescription drug cost and their rising medical cost. I hear from so many people who are struggling to chose between paying for their medical coverage or paying their electric bill.

Anyone who listens to the news, read newspaper, who have some knowledge about the world, knows the US is in a recession. The unemployment rate is rising along with the cost of living in certain parts of the country. Our health insurance sytem is literally killings us financially as a country. We need to act now.

Soon...within the next 15 to 25 years, the Medicare fund and Social Security fund will run out of money. Look it up people. The money that funds Medicare comes from ...guess what?...TAXES!! Soon you baby boomer..all of you...will receive sometime of government entitlement whether its from Medicare and/or Social Security. Do the math...there are more people over 50 yrs old than there are under 50 years. Soon the US will have a majority of its population over 65 yr. And these are the same people crying about "government-run" healthcare.
It is my generation Y that going to be taking care of you, and paying higher taxes just so you can have your "government run healthcare" in the form of Medicare.

And you know what...I will be very happy to pay higher taxes to make sure that you old ass bastards continue to receive your Medicare benefits. I make $50,000 a year, give or take. I'm single with no children. An income of $50,000 yr is not much but if paying higher taxes means ensuring by time I am 65 years old (the eligibility for Medicare will probably be 70 year old by time my 26 yr. old ass qualify) I can receive Medicare benefits just like my Grandma does today then I vote yes for higher taxes. Even though President Obama has clearly stated that people making under $250,000 will not face higher taxes.

Think senior citizens...you guys are currently and will continue to drain the system. The money has to come from somewhere.

Anyway...I digress...all President Obama wants to do is insured the 50 million Americans who don't have health insurance. My own mother is one of those 50 million people. And yes...the money to insure these people will have to come from somewhere. It will not come from cutting elderly Medicare benefits. Think about it for a sec...in all of Medicare history...since its inception has any president cut Medicare benefits...why would we start now...

Also this notion that Congress want to make Americans have health insurance that they themselves don't want. The people in both houses of Congress work for the...wait for it...FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Guess where they get their health insurance for themselves and for their families from....wait for it...wait for it...the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT...

You see seniors...Your senators and congressmans already have a "government-run health insurance" for themselves its called FEHB, federal employees health benefits program. My uncle is retire from the US Post Office. He is under the program.

So Please seniors...when you see a Republican senator or congressman on the television speaking about "government-run or government takeover of health insurance" ...remember their own health insurance is from the ...wait for it...wait for it...GOVERNMENT...Their health insurance is so damn good they don't want you to have it.

I'm canceling my membership too. AARP is not looking out for seniors and Im shocked that you have not given one mention of concern over the health care plan, even though billions of dollars will be cut from medicare. How can you sell AMERICA out for your own gain. We will not be able to revoke this type of change after its been implemented. How can you stand by and back this when so many people will be hurt.

I came to your website to find if AARP is backing Obama's health care plan. The CEO's message was unclear, and it wasn't until I went to the "Contact AARP" section that I found a statement (which had no date, so I don't know how old it was) that said AARP has not endorsed the plan. If Obama is claiming that AARP is backing the plan, and AARP has NOT agreed to back the plan, why aren't you plastering that all over your home page!!!!???? There is no way that such a complicated issue should be passed a hurry. Any plan needs to be studied and the kinks worked out. I feel that Obama is forcing this plan thru because the democrats are in the majority, and there is no balance of government. I don't feel confident that AARP is doing the right thing by its members. Could it be that AARP has its own agenda? (do you receive federal backing which is swaying swaying your decision?). I'll be keeping in eye on your website and hope to see some statement from AARP that it has NOT endorsed Obama's plan. In the meantime, I am considering cancelling my membership.

I am not in favor of the 1000+ page Health bill--I have read parts of it, it is very, very confusing. Even Congress has not read it all, and I doubt if Obama read it. I will not support the AARP any longer unless you come out with full page ads taking a stand and state that this bill must not pass and you do not support it. Yes we need some health overhauls, but not this way. Comments I have seen still look like AARP is supporting the bill. If this continues I will pull my membership. Please support the American people and not the polititicians.

Dear Mr.Barry Rand CEO AARP

Please read your statement on the helth plan over to yourself. You are just repeating whats been put out by Obama.
Remember AARP stands for RETIRED PEOPLE . Why don't you stand up for US. I'm on medicare, I could go to my own Doctoor now, I don't have to worry about not being insured by some co., or worry about Discrimination , or loosing a job.
WE ARE RETIRED DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.
If you don't understand that please step down as CEO and let someone in to help us.
What we have is good but we need to improve it. Medicare like all Goverment run departments waste it's money. We don't have to change the whole system to controll the spending , Medicare problem could be corrected .
Remember you are working for the RETIRED PEOPLE that's why we pay our dues. If you want to help the other 40 millon with out insurance that start up a PWIN ( people without insurance) and collect dues from them.
I have but one choice now. To quit beloning to the AARP.
Thank You Barry

I am not renewing my membership to AARP. The reason is that you are supporting the Health Care Reform bill that the President wants passed. I was under the impression that you were an organization that supported older Americans. I pray for our county and what is happening to it with our current administration.

My question to you is, Have you read the bill?? I seriously doubt it.

Sent to my state office:

Because of AARP's unwavering support of this fascist agenda and mistreatment of those that chose to question or speak out against it, I am canceling my membership. A growing number of AARP members are doing the same and will begin to actively recruit those at the senior centers and other venues.

The self serving nature of the executives in the organization at the expense and opposition of the membership has indicated that this is no longer the organization that is no longer true to its roots.

It is with a heavy heart that I will make it a mission to educate others about your true intentions and seek to have your useless office closed.

If AARP is supporting the Democrat plan then I will never become a member. Insist that your elected officials read the Health care bill before signing it and pledge to resign immedietley if the new plan raises taxes! From. A New Senior

How interesting. AARP has become Obama's lap dog. And, just what do Obama and Rand have in common? Hmmm, they're both named Barry. They are both the first black leaders of their respective organizations. And, they are both socialists who are bad for America. They both stand in stark contrast to the American ideals of hard work and success. So we have to wait three more years to unelect our Commy president. At least we can and will minimize his impact next fall at the polls. But we don't have to wait on Barry Rand. We are all cancelling our memberships to AARP. Perhaps the board will have had enough and throw this bum out for his blind support of our racist president. Yes, indeed, both Barry's have acted "stupidly". BTW- I support the Cambridge Police!

As a duty to AARP members, AARP officers should evaluate House Bill 3200 item by item, and post the evaluation for members review. What is good? What is bad? What does AARP support? AARP needs to be very specific about plan details. The 4 AARP points above by Mr. Rand are far to vague. The devil in the details and members are responding as they understand them. If AARP has more information on the details, let us know them. Don't use generalities. We seniors want specifics!

As a duty to AARP members, AARP officers should evaluate House Bill 3200 item by item, and post the evaluation for members review. What is good? What is bad? What does AARP support? AARP needs to be very specific about plan details. The 4 AARP points above by Mr. Rand are far to vague. The devil in the details and members are responding as they understand them. If AARP has more information on the details, let us know them. Don't use generalities. We seniors want specifics!

I'm about to turn 50, the age at which you'd want me to join your org. Here's the facts. I'll never associate myself with such a left leaning outfit like AARP! You guys are a joke. I've studied the "policy" my mother has through AARP, it's seriously lacking. Further, you guys are the patsies of the Dems, anybody can see this.

What a joke!

I am 54 years old and considering joining the AARP as a member. I do believe that the debate on health care together with resolving the broken Social Security system are the fundamental issues that the AARP must weight in on. However, some of the language contained in Barry Rand's comments show a bias towards the solutions that are being proposed by the current administration. Characterizing legitimate opposing views as lies or myths is not helpful to the debate. Health care reform is a big deal and deserves a lot of thoughtful attention. Rushing any solution through is not appropriate given the complexity of the issues and the variety of stakeholders involved. I urge you to take a measured approach to identifying and promoting a plan that moves the nation in the direction of making healthcare more widely available, but one that is not pre-destined to worsen the deficit situation that the nation is and will be facing.

I am a practicing physician (pediatrician) and wish to congratulate AARP for its support of health care reform based on the needs of our citizens, facts and a reasonable understanding of the current mess we call a health care system. I am completing my application to join and support your organization as a direct result of your reasoned stance.

Shame on AARP for throwing it's members under the bus! You have lost two more members, my husband and I want nothing more to do with your organization! Bye Bye! So Long! Farewell!

Greetings from Obama Health Insurance Services. Sign up with us and pay only $200 per month! Have a pre-existing condition that will cost us $2000 per month? No problem! We use the dumbed-down liberal math system, where 1+1 can equal 3 if it feels right. And if we go bankrupt? No problem! We're backed by those idiot working people who have no idea where they're being taxed. We can just raise a tax here or a tax there and they won't even know! So, join us today. Act now and we'll throw in a free GM automobile! Call 800-SOC-LISM today!

I just joined AARP this year and I am disgusted at this post you just wrote here. If you like the congress and pres plan so much then I am going to ask you one question...why are they not buying it for themselves? If the plan is so good, then why do they not drop their privileged "congress/pres care" and go with the plan they are selling everyone else? There is only one answer...because it is not good enough for them. If it is not good enough for them, then it is not good enough for me. I will take the same plan they have, or leave me alone with what I have now. I am going to QUIT AARP along with my husband and my mother and anyone else I can talk to unles you you drop this support of this insane plan the socialistic administration is coming up with. It makes me ill to think one of the few and only organizations I hoped would be safe to join is turning out to be a traitorous group. I wonder what support you are getting personally to back this? Some personal perks perhaps?

Here are a few reasons (facts from the bill) why I do not support the health care reforms presented by the President and Congress at this time:
Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benes u get

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose UR HC Benefits 4 you. U have no choice!

PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided 2 ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access 2 individs finances & a National ID Healthcard will b issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access 2 ur banks accts 4 elect. funds transfer

PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan 4 retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange 2 bring priv HC plans under Govt control.

PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs 4 priv. HC plans in the Exchange

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration ur Healthcare!

PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic approp svcs. Example - Translation 4 illegal aliens

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps 2 sign up indiv. for Govt HC plan

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - U Health care WILL b rationed

-PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Indiv. will b automat.enrolled in Medicaid. No choice

pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt Monop

pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell YOU what u can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into pub opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay 4 HC 4 part time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Emplyr w payroll 400k & above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

pg 150 Lines 9-13 Biz w payroll btw 251k & 400k who doesnt prov. pub. opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesnt have acceptable HC accrdng 2 Govt will be taxed 2.5% of inc

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from indiv. taxes. (Americans will pay)

Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access 2 ALL Americans finan/pers recs

PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that

Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician svcs 4 Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, doesnt matter what specialty u have, you'll all be paid the same

PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

PG 265 Sec 1131 Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries

PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs

PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals 4 what Govt deems preventable readmissions.

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admiss that results in a readmiss-Govt will penalize u.

Pg 317 L 13-20 OMG!! PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have oppt to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can u say ACORN?!!

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates estab. of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority 2 disqual Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing peeps in2 Govt plan

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs ppl!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory Cmtte. Can u say HC by phone?

PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!

PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides apprvd list of end of life resources, guiding u in death

PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program 4 orders 4 end of life. The Govt has a say in how ur life ends

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "adv. care planning consult" will b used frequently as patients health deteriorates

PG 429 Lines 10-12 "adv. care consultation" may incl an ORDER 4 end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment u will have at end of life

Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!?

Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment 2 a community-based org. Like ACORN?

PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which means they will insert Govt in2 ur marriage

Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs

I agree with the previous 60,000+ please change your stand on the current health care bill or I also will have to no longer be a part of AARP
Thanks

We are totally against Obama Care and his socialist agenda. We have been AARP members for several years and now wish to cancel our membership with this organization. You have failed us. In fact, you disgust us.

We are totally against Obama Care and his socialist agenda. We have been AARP members for several years and now wish to cancel our membership with this organization. You have failed us. In fact, you disgust us.

Why doesn't Congress and the President fix Social Security and Medicare. Get this done and maybe the people will have faith in your ability to make health care reform.
Keep your grubby hands out of social security. This money is not yours to spend as you see fit. Congress has been dipping into this fund for many years to pay for their pet projects.
Fix it and then move on to Medicare repair.
Next is the US Post Office. Why are we giving bonuses to government employees in the first place much less to an organization that is losing money???!!!

Why are you not posting our comments? Close to 90% of AARP members disagree with Obama and your support of his policies. Post our comments. Refund our memberships. We know you voted for him. Your job requires that you are non-partisan

Resign AARP and go to work for Obama............................

Mr. Rand,
This health care bill and the AARP are so far out of touch with common sense. If you were a member of Congress, I would be out campaigning for your removal. For the benefit of the organization, I suggest you resign. NOTHING the government does or tries to do come close to the results from the private sector. Just as Congress has lost touch with their constituents, you have lost touch with your members. For the benefit of your members lets hope all will cancel their affiliation with AARP.

I have printed and read the entire house bill. If AARP in any way endorses any plan that contains seeds for socialistic health care such as this plan, and/or the same plan "renamed", I will no longer be a member of AARP and will also have to cancel my life insurance I have with your company. The misinformation about this plan comes from the supporters of the Obama/ Democrat Congress Plan. They either are misinformed, or lying to the public. I would prefer that they are misinformed, but I am inclined to believe that they are lying to us. Read the house bill and you will see the reality of the committee that will decide what treatment you are to receive{page 30 lines 13-18} and on page 42, it states that a commissioner will choose your benefits for you...you will have no choice. There are thousands of areas I could site for you that go against human dignity and are ethically, morally, and biblically incorrect. READ THE BILL FOR YOURSELF AND DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS.
I insist on a straight answer from you. Are you endorsing and supporting this bill. I will be determing whether or not to continuing my membership with you based on your actions.

Although I do not turn 50 for a few weeks (!) I just signed up to become an AARP member because I respect and welcome your views on the need to reform the health insurance system. I strongly support the proposals made by President Obama and progressive Democrats, including a public option, as the only realistic, fair, and cost-effective way to provide good health care for all Americans.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2078347/american_seniors_association_begins.html

As long time AARP members it's important that you know our position on President Obama's Health Care Plan.

We violiently oppose the entire plan as do the overwhelming majority of the AARP memebers.

Any support or indication of support on your part would be a serious betrayal of AARP's roll and the trust we put in you.

It's a terrible plan and is not in the interest of senior citizens or Americans in general.

It's a political motivated plan aimed to move America seriously into Socialism.

It does nothing to solve issues with the current health programs and will put generations of our children in debt to pay for Social programs that will destroy America.

Obama has become a threat to our way of life and you should activly work as hard, and as long as you can, using all of the resourses we have given you to defeat this disgusting plan.

Anything short of this would be a serious betrayal of the trust we have place in you, would not be in the interest of senior citizens. It would be interpereted as a politically motivated move on your part and would probably result in a revolution to replace you.

Don't become a political puppet; you have a more serious role to play if you are to represent us.

Edward and Josephing

The AARP website www.healthactionnow.org bothers me the most about the AARP perspective on the proposals. The web site has many definitive statements as to what health care reform means or doesn't mean. Especially with so many proposals and variations of the plan, the answers do not add up.

One statement that is deemed false is the statement - "Health Care reform will result in rationed care". Stating that "none of the proposals would stand in between you and your doctor nor would they prevent you from choosing the best care possible."

I do not understand how AARP can stand behind the statement since overall proposal is intended to add 46 million more to the government single payer system and remove "inefficiencies" from the Medicare program. Currently it is difficult getting a doctor to take on new Medicare patients due to the government payment schedule, how can the proposal not further dilute the availability of doctors or hospitals willing to take Medicare, Medicade or Obamacare patients?

One example of "inefficiencies" provided by the president included that one about getting an initial test by a primary care physician and getting a second similar test by a specialist and than getting a third test when admitted to the hospital. Since this scenario can occur over a period of months does this imply the system will ration what would be "necessary" tests?

A second reported false statement is "Health Care reform will be a Government takeover" countered by the statement "health Care Reform is not socialized medicine, you can still choose your own doctor or health care plan"

Since government is intending to offer subsidized health care with underlying reduced payment schedules for doctors and hospitals will this not lead employers away from offering private options. Many of my employers offer different plan options with different associated costs. HMOs vs traditional were an example for the 80s where HMOs offered "managed care" to control costs. Isn't the government proposal a "manage care" system run by government bureaucrats with no recourse? How is this not "rationing."

Additionally the statement "you can still choose your own doctor or health care plan" does not address the constrains being placed on health care plans such as preexisting conditions or policy limits which likely price these existing policies out of financial reach of many.

The analogy of Fedex, UPS and US Postal service has been used to explain that competition with government entities does not have to lead to a government monopoly. It is business that makes Fedex and UPS viable not the public as a whole. If employers/employees find that they are priced or taxed out of affording private health care, why does this not lead to a single payer system and the end to quality health care in the United States.

We have the best health care system in th world because some of us are willing to pay for it.

When was the last time you shipped a package at the post office? What ever happened to DHL?

I recently turned 50 and receive solicitations to join the AARP. Now that I am aware of their desire to grow the federal government and risk bankrupting the country, I will NEVER join. I will never understand the attractiveness of socialism to so many people.

AARP should be looking out for our welfare concerning Health Care. Health Care is one of the most important considerations of our age group. The AARP cannot have read this bill when no one in Congress has read and been able understand it. Please do not believe the rhetoric without us all being able to understand bill. I am sure these bills can be written in plain English so even our Congress people can understand it. The Congress has passed many bill recently without reading and understanding them. So AARP please be more informed before you back a bill that cannot be totally understood by anyone...even the President.
Thanks for listening

You sir, have no credibility. A CEO with no credibility should be replaced by the CEO's board of directors. Your tacit approval of the re-making of health care in this country is undermining the mission of the organization you are privileged to lead. I have called AARP's call center many times and your employees that answer the phone have no confidence in the leadership of the organization that is paying their salaries. It is tragic. You really should resign and pursue your political agenda personally rather than as the chief executive of an organization that professes to be a proponent for senior citizens. While I admire, in a sordid fashion, your willingness to put your personal beliefs above those whom you profess to serve, your willingness to allow the administration to tout your alliance while not coming out proactively and denying your support certainly undermines your authority to lead AARP. Please, resign and pursue your personal beliefs with a no conflict of interest.

Thank you for supporting the Health Insurance Reform! Yes we need the reform now for our future.

Have the AARP board members read the entire Bill congress has proposed. I am interested in pages 424 to 436 advanced care planning Consultation. There will be government tracking of those seniors who have not had a ACP consultation in the last 5 years. How and who tracks and keeps records on ACP consultatio