ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

unfortunately this article is more propaganda. the operative phrase is nothing written today. the president in the past he desires socialized medicine, and now the white house is asking us to send in email's to flag@whitehouse.gov if you hear of someone speaking out against the health care plan so they can sick their minions on them. yikes sounds to much like early 1900's germany or russia to me.

Government expenditures for health care are increasing and becoming unsustainable. All sides of the health reform debate agree on that. But lately, "health care reform" has become virtually synonymous with lowering costs without much mention by the mainstream media of what Americans might lose in terms of quality, access and choice. And "urgency" has become the mantra, although many of us realize that the urgency is based on what the administration fears will be a short-lived time point of unchecked power for the majority party.

If the administration's plan of stricter government control and deeper dependence on government insurance is the method chosen to lower these costs, Americans should understand the reasons why costs would come down. Regardless of President Obama's indignation toward those who might actually disagree with him about solutions, basic economics and common sense dictate that government can forcibly reduce the expenditures on medical services by only two methods: 1) restricting the use of medical services, and 2) lowering the payment for such services. And regardless of what Congress and the administration may claim, ultimately, these two boil down to one: the "R word"--direct or indirect rationing of medical care.

Those supporting broad government-centered solutions to health care reform claim that even mentioning rationing as a consequence is fear mongering. It is critical for Americans to beware of the false argument of those interested in putting government officials in charge of personal health care decisions--that "rationing already exists in everything, because total availability for free is never present."

This disingenuous distortion masks the fact that what the president and his allies envision is a system whereby government bureaucrats, not patients with their doctors, define what treatments and diagnostic tools are available and appropriate for American families. And politicians and government-employed bureaucrats will also decide what health insurance must include by defining "acceptable" health insurance coverage for Americans and their families, and benefits for that coverage. Ironically, the same government that rails against limits to abortion and accuses government of interfering with biomedical stem cell research wants to exercise unprecedented authority over access and choice in all medical care for its citizens.

Although unprecedented in the U.S., other governments have already exercised such powers over their citizens. Canada's Medicare program arrogantly asserts that Canadians get "medically necessary services," yet the facts show Canadians endure scandalously long wait times and a dangerous lack of access to modern diagnostic and treatment-related technologies, ultimately costing lives.

British citizens suffer under the rule of their National Health Service, directed by their House of Commons Task Force, which recommended "techniques for determining the cost-effectiveness of new technologies" with "nationally approved standards for the commissioning of new technologies." Western European nations, where government dictates drug prices to the end result of pitifully reduced innovation, have less access to new cancer-curing drugs, so, consequently, patients die earlier from those diseases when compared to the U.S. There is no mystery here--it has been proved the world over that when government dictates prices on services, those services become unavailable. And when bureaucrats dictate medical care, it is the patient who suffers most. Directly or indirectly, choice becomes limited, and health care becomes rationed.

Meanwhile, the president keeps repeating his straw man argument--that we must support his government-centered options for reforming our health system, because "the alternative of doing nothing" is unacceptable. But specific alternative reforms that would reduce health care costs, such as removing government-defined barriers to competition, eliminating special interest insurance mandates and empowering the consumer rather than government with control of the money, information and choice, have already been proposed, despite their invisibility to mainstream media.

The honest debate should be about whether the costs should be forced down by increasing government intervention and control, or if Americans and their families should be in control of their health care. Indeed, there are clear alternatives that would reduce costs without undermining the advanced medical care we have been fortunate enough to benefit from in the United States.

Long-term-care coalition decries Medicare cuts
By Jessica Zigmond
Posted: August 4, 2009 - 11:00 am EDT

Sizable Medicare cuts to skilled-nursing care will not only compromise the quality of care for seniors, but also will affect other businesses that support the sector, says a group of long-term-care businesses and organizations. According to the Washington-based Community Cares Coalition, the recent rule from the CMS that would cut as much as $16 billion from skilled nursing over 10 years could reduce business activity by about $2.5 billion.

“This administrative rule will trigger instability in the long-term-care workforce that directly cares for our elderly and is employed by many small, community long-term-care businesses that serve as the backbone to local economies,” Jill Capela, CEO and founder of Orthopaedic & Neurological Rehabilitation, an Austin, Texas-based contract rehabilitation therapy company, said in a news release. The problem could worsen if Congress passes the House health reform bill, which proposes an additional $44.9 billion in cuts, the group said. Underfunding in Medicaid—because of strapped state budgets in the current economy—would be another considerable hit to this segment.

In the U.S, the long-term-care industry provides about 2 million jobs and accounts for about 1% of the gross domestic product, the Community Cares Coalition estimates.

“These cuts are being levied even though SNFs (skilled nursing facilities) operate with the smallest overall total margins amongst all healthcare providers,” said Doug Burr, vice president of finance, reimbursement and government relations for Health Care Navigator, a White Plains, N.Y.-based long-term-care provider, in the release. “The low total margins at SNFs are caused in large part by Medicaid not covering the cost of care.”

Seniors uneasy over Medicare cuts in overhaul

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR (AP) – 6 days ago

WASHINGTON — Democrats are pushing for Medicare cuts on a scale not seen in years to underwrite health care for all. Many seniors now covered under the program don't like that one bit.

Seeing a political opportunity, Republicans have accused President Barack Obama of trying to use Medicare as a piggy bank to finance his top domestic priority — putting the president on the defensive on a highly sensitive issue.

At an AARP town hall meeting earlier this week, Obama went out of his way to address "a misperception" that the Democratic bills in Congress would cut medical benefits for the elderly.

"Nobody is talking about reducing Medicare benefits," Obama said. "Medicare benefits are there because people contributed into a system. It works. We don't want to change it. What we do want is to eliminate some of the waste that is being paid for out of the Medicare trust fund that could be used more effectively to cover more people and to strengthen the system."

Such assurances haven't stopped Republicans from stepping up their criticism.

"Using massive cuts to Medicare as a way to pay for more government-run health care isn't the kind of change Americans are looking for," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Thursday in a speech on the Senate floor. "Americans want savings from Medicare to be used to strengthen Medicare, not to create a system that would ... lead to a government takeover of health care."

The dueling sound bites frame a political role reversal.

When the Republicans were in power, their attempts to cut Medicare to reduce government spending ran into a wall of opposition from Democrats. Now that Democrats are in control, they're calling for hundreds of billions in Medicare cuts to help the uninsured get coverage.

The House bill — the congressional proposal that has advanced the most — would reduce projected increases in Medicare payments to providers by more than $500 billion over 10 years, a gross cut of about 7 percent over the period. But the legislation would also plow nearly $300 billion back into the program, mainly to sweeten payments to doctors.

That still leaves a net cut of more than $200 billion, which would be used to offset new federal subsidies for workers and their families now lacking health insurance. Those uninsured workers also pay the taxes that go to support medical care for the elderly.

Despite the cuts, the seniors' lobby is supporting the House legislation. But AARP says that's as far as the cost-cutting should go. The group says it's troubled by a proposal recently embraced by Obama to create a special advisory panel that would regularly recommend more savings, with authority to force Congress to act on them. AARP says the costs board should also have to take into account effects on quality of care and access before making any recommendations.

"What we hear from our members is that to them Medicare savings sounds like cuts," said Nora Super, AARP's chief health care lobbyist. "Our members over 65 really value their Medicare program ... and numbers like $500 billion are huge numbers, so that is really scary to our members."

Seniors' concerns have been showing up in opinion polls.

A Pew Research Center poll released Thursday found notably lower support among people 65 and older for the health care proposals in Congress. Twenty-nine percent of seniors said they "generally favored" the plans, compared to 38 percent of the total. Similarly, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey found that 28 percent of seniors said Obama's plan was a good idea, compared with 36 percent of all respondents.

Obama and the Democrats say the cuts are needed to curb wasteful spending fattening the budgets of Medicare managed care plans, hospitals and other providers. Indeed, experts at the Health and Human Services Department estimate that the House bill would extend the solvency of Medicare's giant hospitalization trust fund by five years, from 2017 to 2022.

An analysis for the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Medicare Advantage — the part of the program operated through private insurance companies — would bear 32 percent of the overall cuts. Another 37 percent would come from hospitals and other service providers. But that's not what seniors seem to be hearing.

"I believe they are hearing that their benefits are going to be really restricted," said Robert Blendon, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, who follows public opinion on health care issues. "If that's the case, it will really cause some problems for lawmakers over the summer because seniors are the most politically responsive group, and they're the ones who on a day-to-day basis confront ill health and medical expenses."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., says Republicans are distorting the facts on a complex issue. "Medicare is going to be available for seniors — at the levels they need," he said.

But Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Republicans aren't going to drop the issue. "I think there's going to be a rebellion in this country when seniors find out," he said.

Thursday was Medicare's 44th birthday.

"Reform’ at Seniors’ Expense
The following featured commentary was featured in the New York Post laying out the current health care reforms effects upon senior citizens.

BY DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

The health-reform debate on Capitol Hill is skipping over the key issue: "Universal insurance" means less care for people who have coverage now – especially the elderly.

And the "compromises" now under way only make the problem worse.

Here's a point that's no surprise except to the "reformers": People with insurance use more health care.

President Obama seeks to cover 50 million new people. Where are the extra doctors, nurses and so on going to come from? Neither the administration nor anyone on the Hill has proposed anything to add to the supply of medical services even as they plan vastly to increase the demand.

The politicians are playing a Washington game – compromising on false or tangential issues while failing to address the central one.

It doesn't matter if you reduce or eliminate the mandate for employers to provide coverage, if you're still insuring more people without adding medical personnel and other resources. Same story for whether you replace the "public option" government-run plan with government-run "co-ops."

More, all the bills come up with cash to cover their huge costs by ordering cuts in Medicare – cuts that Congress could reverse only by affirmative majority votes. Basically, the government will be paying doctors and providers even less to treat the elderly – at a time when countless doctors are starting to refuse new Medicare patients.

More demand; no added supply; Medicare cuts: It all adds up to rationing – lower-quality medical care for most Americans, especially for the elderly.

A doctor in Massachusetts – where an Obama-style plan is already in place – recently told us that she now has to read 60 mammograms a day in the time she once spent on 45. "It keeps me up at night," she told us, "that I might make a mistake, I am so rushed."

For the elderly, it means less care, period. A federal health board will sit in judgment of medical procedures and protocols and impose guidelines on all providers for when to withhold certain kinds of care.

For example, the drug Avastin is widely used in America to treat advanced colon cancer. But it costs $50,000 a year – so Canada's national-health system doesn't permit its use. As a result, 41 percent of colon-cancer patients in Canada die each year, as opposed to 32 percent in the United States. (Canada's average eight-month wait for colonoscopies, another result of national-health rationing, also contributes to the problem.)

Members of Congress will be home through August to test public opinion. It's up to us to give them an earful.

Relative to cost: (which blows up your cost myth rebuttal)

In a July 26 letter, CBO director Douglas Elmendorf notes that the net costs of new spending will increase at more than 8% per year between 2019 and 2029, while new revenue would only grow at about 5%. “In sum,” he writes, “relative to current law, the proposal would probably generate substantial increases in federal budget deficits during the decade beyond the current 10-year budget window.” (The House bill has changed somewhat in the meantime, but not enough to alter these numbers much.)

The nearby chart shows this Grand Canyon between spending and revenue, including CBO’s long-term predictions. While these are obviously very coarse estimates, there’s also a projection of a $65 billion deficit in the 10th year—and “deficit neutrality in the 10th year is . . . the best proxy for what will happen in the second decade.”

That’s not our outlook. That’s what White House budget director Peter Orszag told the House Budget Committee in June. He added that “If you’re not falling off a cliff at the end of your projection window, that is your best assurance that the long-term trajectory is also stable.” The House bill falls off a cliff.

And the CBO score almost surely understates this deficit chasm because CBO uses static revenue analysis—assuming that higher taxes won’t change behavior. But long experience shows that higher rates rarely yield the revenues that they project.

Will you be brave enough to publish the other side? Up to now, AARP hasn't - they've not raised any of the valid issues brought up by others. Will you hide or will you lead in this issue?

I'm betting you'll hide.

AARP IS SCARY.

I don't know what you were reading about Obamma care, but the actual copy from the congresional office sure says that we will not have any choices once the socialists take it over! I am watching AARP's take on this, and if the group keeps endorsing the socialist dictator wannabe in the white house, I will cancel my membership here and encourage as many others as I can to do the same.
I have a healthcare provider in the family, and there is nothing in this bill that will lower any costs, and will lower our level of health care.
Don't push this on us because if it goes into law, our group will be the biggest loosers!
Feel free to report me on the white house snitch line as someone who does not agree with the liberals!

Yes jrobbins, you are right.

I just posted some additional articles over at my site. It would be nice if Barry Jackson or some one at AARP who actually understands this was willing to have an honest debate. Unfortunately, they can't answer the tough questions I've posted in response to the President's email to his organizers. How about it Barry - care to answer my questions for all your members? Care to discuss deficit spending? Or the lessons learned from Medicare?

http://hrside.blogspot.com/2009/08/president-writes-to-his-supporters.html

http://hrside.blogspot.com/2009/08/aarps-myths-and-facts.html

http://hrside.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-to-be-real-clear-on-reform.html

http://hrside.blogspot.com/2009/08/lessons-of-medicare.html

Yeah, I think I'll post on my facebook and communicate to my elderly relatives to cancel their AARP memberships instead. Thinly veiled propaganda is not getting you anywhere. If you don't want to lose half of your subscriber base AARP better change their position on this abomination of socialized healthcare AND FAST.

Barry Jackson is nothing more than a Hitler brown shirt type for Obamas socialist agenda. The bill has not even been completed and AARP is supporting it?
If congress has not completed the bill then how did Comrade Barry Jackson get a copy.
I am through with communist organization

Fascinating fulminations from "Jim" but I looked in vain for any admission that our health care system needs any fixing. Alternatives to the current disaster might even be constructive, but I'm not sure that's your purpose.

Liar!!!!!! This is why I will NEVER be apart of AARP

I am opposed to the current proposed health care reform proposed by President Obama and Representative Pelosi. I am horrified that a change of this magnitude is being rushed through. That makes me suspect all is not right in Camelot.

Further, I am displeased at AARP suggesting they represent me with out asking for my opinion. Please do not endorse any programs in the future without polling the membership. If you cannot do this I will be forced to no longer be a member. I have been a member for eleven years. However, I will not support a group that espouses positions I do not agree with, if they have not polled the membership.

I'm a pretty moderate guy and do believe that the current Medicare system is unsustainable....but I don't want something shoved down my throat. Your talking points in this article are just that, and nothing more. The devil is in the details and we the public are too smart to fall for this baloney. Oh, and by the way, as a current AARP member - just wondering how you decide what is in the best interest of the members. I don't recall ever being asked to respond to any questionaire or poll.

Thank you AARP for trying to get the truth to seniors. As a Canadian with American Seniors relatives in California and Florida, the lies told about health care by the Right.

Here is the difference between what Canadians think of their system, and what Americans think of Canada's system.

http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/polls-analysis/opinion-polls/americans-tend-believe-ad-criticizes-canadian-health-care

Here is the truth about the lady from Canada who had her brain tumour removed.

http://pacificgazette.blogspot.com/2009/07/real-story-on-canadian-healthcare-hater_24.html

Hope this helps

Mike McGuire

THIS is the scariest letter I have gotten in my Email - and I have gotten it over and over. Thanks AARP I have seen it enough times, you don't need to send it yet again.

Now, as I asked earlier from you, just what the hell are you getting out of pushing this load of crap???? You are getting paid somewhere from this and I sure would like to know where.

The bills in the House are so full of crap that we as a nation will just be pushed that much closer to breaking up.

I guess I am part of what the White House and Congress are now referring to as the "angry manufactured mob". I sure as hell am angry, and will be happy to be part of a mob, but what I sure am not is manufactured by ANYONE or ANY GROUP.

Both republicans and Democrats have pushed us so far toward insolvency, that the ability for us to ever pull back from it are slim to none. You wanting to spend TRILLILONS MORE is pure insanity, I don't care what the hell it is on.

SO MR. AARP lobbyist, stay out of my freaking in box. I may be old, but I am so ready for a real fight.

I was looking through the AARP website and was both surprised and frustrated that the website seems carefully constructed to not allow members to comment on any of the policy material the AARP is promoting. You can "sign up to support health care reform" but you cannot question or take issue with the AARP's support for health care reform. The AARP claims to represent its members but I don't see how the AARP develops its' positions or takes feedback from members. I am adamently opposed to all of the current proposals on health care reform, most especially HR 3200. I do not want government run health insurance. I do not want a "government option" for health insurance. I do not want government provided health care for all persons without regard for citizenship or residency - this is the same a "free health care for anyone in the world who visits the US, legally or otherwise. And I do not want to bankrupt the country to provide health care coverage that we cannot afford knowing that every dollar the government spends is a dollar they have taken from someone else. Yet the AARP seems convinced that it is speaking on my behalf in advocating for health care legislation that I oppose. AARP members need to make the effort to reach the leadership at the AARP and educate them on what the members actually want.

I'm a ARRP member for more of 20 years. Retired whit Medicare and supplemental insurance. If the goberment take over the health system, beleive me, our lives will be shorten from 10 to 20 years because that is the purpose. Goberment handling is not the solution but the problem. I came to this country 41 years ago looking for freedom from a Socialist country where de Health Care is free and is free to die too. Real disaster; old people has no value, sooner you die much better. I don't want to see the same here. The capitalist system is the best, competition, fight to be better asnd liver better, oportunites for people working hard and saving. In the socialist system is only good for the good fishes, the Presidente, Senators all member of congress and the elite of the goberment. I'm very dissapointed whit the support of AARP for the Mr. Obama plan and I hope they hear the opinion of everybody and don't speak in the name of the member. If the leaders of ARRP want the goberment plan said I SUPPORT AND DON'T SAID WE SUPPORT.

Well, AARP ! Thanks a lot! You're organization, like the federal governemnt, is full of lies and propaganda. I'll be online shortly to cancel my membership!

Capt. Larry, Viet Vet, Chopper Pilot, Vietnam!

I can't believe that the ARRP executives have such a socialist agenda that they support the current versions of Health Care Reform. I doubt that they have read and interpreted the bill. Therefore, they regurgitate the lies being spewed by the Obama Administration and the left wing media we have in this country.

The Health Care Reform will ration and deny service to the elderly! It has to do so! It’s just common sense. How else can you add another 46 million people to government health care and save money?!!

The Health Care Reform and Cap-And-Trade Bills will regulate your life and take away a substantial part of your liberty – a very substantial part! You won’t be able to make your own major and daily choices in running your own life; Big Brother will make them for you!

Americorp and AORN (a leftist anti-establishment political group which receives your tax money) will administer this new program! In my personal opinion, these groups will eventually become Obama’s brown-shirt security force. The direction the Obama Administration and his left wing radicals are taking us is quite frightening.

The proposed Health Care Reform is Orwellian. The Health Care Bill along with the Cap-And-Trade Bill take us two giant steps down the road to life as described in Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World. Don't believe the lies!

I'll be canceling my AARP membership today!

Enough of the comments that everone who is against this Bill is either lying,being paid or is a right wing nut. I am a Demcocrat and expect a civil debate on this huge change in our country. Stop putting only the Admistration (i.e. Congress) opinon forward. There are PLENTY of questions about this Bill. All you have to do is read it. I know we need some reform but I believe that the government should regulate NOT run anything. By God just look at how they spend money on all the other prgrams that they run & this becomes obvious.

You must not have read the details of the health care bill.

Obama Health Care Plan Details

HR 3200 currently under consideration in the House of Representatives


Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit the books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC Bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC Bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice!

Pg 50 Section 152 in HC Bill - HC will be provided to ALL non-U.S. citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58 HC Bill – Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Health Care Card will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your banks accounts for electronic funds transfer.

(NOTE FROM RJ-This really does mean they can take your money at any time. Who will have this authority?—a government bureaucrat.)

Pg 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions and community organizations (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Government is creating a Health Care Exchange to bring private health care plans under government control.

Pg 84 Sec 203 HC Bill - Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private health care plans in the Exchange

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The government will ration your health care!

Pg 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Government mandates linguistic appropriate services.

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The government will use groups i.e., ACORN & AmeriCorps to sign up individuals for government Health Care Plan

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - Your health care WILL be rationed

Pg 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individual will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

Pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue the government on price fixing. No “judicial review” against government monopoly.

Pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The government will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An employer MUST auto enroll employees into public opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for health care for part-time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll 400k and above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

Pg 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between 251k and 400k who do not provide public opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable health care according to government will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay).

Pg 195 Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans' financial and personal records.

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 Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same.

Pg 253 Line 10-18 Government sets value of doctors' time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

Pg 265 Sec 1131Government mandates and controls productivity for private health care industries.

Pg 268 Sec 1141 Federal Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.

Pg 272 SEC. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals – Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

(RJ-NOTE: Much cancer treatment will not work unless implemented early, but the waiting time just to see a specialist will likely be months when this plan is implemented. As you can see in this bill, the option of the health care bureaucrat is to deny treatment to those they deem not likely to be helped by it. Watch the cancer death rate skyrocket.)

Page 280 Sec 1151 The government will penalize hospitals for what government deems preventable readmissions. (Incentives for hospital to not treat and release.)

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Doctors that treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission-Government will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Government tells Doctors what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Government is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception, BUT community input required. Can you say ACORN?!!

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Government mandates establishment of outcome based measures. Health Care the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans (Part B), HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Government plan.

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Government will RESTRICT enrollment of special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Government creates more bureaucracy – Tele-health Advisory Committee. Health care by phone/Internet?

Pg 425 Lines 4-12 Government mandates Advance [Death] Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life.

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney. Mandatory!

Pg 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death.

Pg 427 Lines 15-24 Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The government has a say in how your life ends.

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will be used frequently as patient's health deteriorates.

Pg 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from Government.

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The government will specify which doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The government will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.

(NOTE FROM RJ: The above really does give the government the authority to determine who lives and dies, and when. A government bureaucrat really will be making this decision for you and your loved ones.)

Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non-profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Services here!!?

Pg 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org. Like ACORN?

Pg 489 Sec 1308 The government will cover Marriage and Family therapy. They will insert government into your marriage.

Pg 494-498 Government will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, rationing those services.

PG 502 Sec 1181 Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research Established. – Hello Big Brother – Literally.

Pg 503 Lines 13-19 Government will build registries and data networks from YOUR electronic medical records.

Pg 503 lines 21-25 Government may secure data directly from any department or agency of the U.S., including your data.

Pg 504 Lines 6-10 The “Center” will collect data both published and unpublished (that means public and your private info).

PG 506 Lines 19-21 The Center will recommend policies that would allow for public access of data.

PG 518 Lines 21-25 The Commission will have input from Health Care consumer reps – Can you say unions and ACORN?

PG 524 18-22 Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund set up. More taxes for ALL.

PG 621 Lines 20-25 Government will define what quality means in health care. Since when does government know about quality?

Pg 622 Lines 2-9 To pay for the Quality Standards, government will transfer money from other government Trust Funds. More Taxes.

PG 624 “Quality” measures shall be designed to assess outcomes and functional status of patients.

PG 624 “Quality” measures shall be designed to profile you including race, age, gender, place of residence, etc.

Pg 628 Sec 1443 Government will give “Multi-Stake Holders” Pre-Rule Making input into Selection of “Quality” Measures.

Pg 630 9-24/631 1-9 Those multi-stake holder groups include unions and groups like ACORN deciding health care quality.

Pg 632 Lines 14-25 The Government may implement any “Quality measure” of health care services as they see fit.

PG 633 14-25/ 634 1-9 The Secretary may issue non-endorsed “Quality Measures” for Physician Services and Dialysis Services.

Pg 635 to 653 Physicians Payments Sunshine Provision – Government wants to shine sunlight on doctor but not government.

Pg 654-659 Public Reporting on Health Care-Associated Infections – Looks okay.

PG 660-671 Doctors in Residency – Government will tell you where your residency will be, thus where you’ll live.

Pg 676-686 Government will regulate hospitals in EVERY aspect of residency programs, including teaching hospitals.

Pg 686-700 Increased Funding to Fight Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. You mean like the government with an $18 million website?

(NOTE FROM RJ—Can you actually imagine empowering the government to fight waste, fraud, and abuse????)

PGs 701-704 Sec 1619 If your part of health care plan isn’t in Government Health Care Exchange but you qualify for Federal aid, no payment.

PG 705-709 SEC. 1128 If Secretary gets complaints (ACORN) on health care provider or supplier, government can do background check.

PG 711 Lines 8-14 The Secretary has broad powers to deny health care providers/ suppliers admittance into Health Care Exchange. Your doctor could be thrown out of business.

Pg 719-720 Sec 1637 ANY Doctor who orders durable medical equipment or home medical services MUST be enrolled in Medicare.

PG 722 Sec 1639 Government MANDATES doctors must have face-to-face with patient to certify patient for Home Health Services.

PG 724 23-25 PG 725 1-5 The same government certifications will apply to Medicaid and CHIP (your kids).

PG 724 Lines 16-22 Government reserves right to apply face-to-face certification for patient to ANY other health care service.

Pg 735 lines 16-25 For law enforcement, proposes the Secretary-HHS will give Attorney General access to ALL data.

PG 740-757 Government sets guidelines for subsidizing the uninsured (That's your tax dollars people).

Pg 757-762 Federal Government will shift burden of payments to Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) to States. (Taxes)

Pg 763 1-8 No DS/EA hospitals will be paid unless they provide services without regard to national origin.

Pg 765 Sec 1711 Government will require Preventative Services including vaccines. (Choice?)

Pg 768 Sec 1713 Government – Nurse Home Visitation Services (Hello union paybacks).

Pg 769 11-14 Nurse Home Visit Services include economic self-sufficiency, employ adv, school-readiness.

Pg 769 3-5 Nurse Home Visit Services - “increasing birth intervals between pregnancies.” Government ABORTIONS anyone?

Pg 770 SEC 1714 Federal Government mandates eligibility for State Family Planning Services. Abortion and State Sovereign.

(NOTE FROM RJ—Can you believe that in America you will be told how many children you can have, and when? Does this mean we can expect the government to impose mandatory abortions? How else can this be interpreted?)

Pg 789-797 Government will set, mandate drug prices, controlling which drugs brought to market. Bye innovation.

Pgs 797-800 SEC. 1744 PAYMENTS for graduate medical education. The government will now control doctors’ educations.

PG 801 Sec 1751 The government will decide which health care conditions will be paid. Say RATION!

Pg 810 SEC. 1759. Billing Agents, clearinghouses, etc. req. to register. Government takes over private payment system.

Pg 820-824 Sec 1801 Government will identify individuals ineligible for subsidies. Will access all personal financial information.

Pg 824-829 SEC. 1802. Government sets up Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund. Another tax black hole.

PG 829-833 Government will impose a fee on ALL private health insurance plans including self-insured to pay for Trust Fund!

PG 835 11-13 fees imposed by government for Trust Fund shall be treated as if they were taxes.

Pg 838-840 Government will design and implement Home Visitation Program for families with young kids and families expecting kids.

PG 844-845 This Home Visitation Program includes government coming into your house and telling you how to parent!!!

(NOTE FROM RJ—If you think this sounds like “Big Brother” actually coming into our homes, we really need to think about what comes after Big Brother. The scenario being set up by the government to control people through this, with the technology now available, is beyond what the science fiction horror works about this could conceive of.)

Pg 859 Government will establish a Public Health Fund at a cost of $88,800,000,000. Yes that’s billion.

Pg 865 The government will MANDATE the establishment of a National Health Service Corps.

PG 865 to 876 The NHS Corps is a program where doctors perform mandatory health care for two years for part loan repayment.

PG 876-892 The government takes over the education of our medical students and doctors.

PG 898 The government will establish a Public Health Workforce Corps to ensure supply of public health prof.

PG 898 The Public Health Workforce Corps shall consist of civilian employees of the U.S. as Secretary deems.

PG 898 The Public Health Workforce Corps shall consist of officers of Regular and Reserve Corps of Service.

PG 900 The Public Health Workforce Corps includes veterinarians.

PG 901 The Public Health Workforce Corps WILL include commissioned Regular and Reserve Officers. HC Draft?

PG 910 The government will develop, build, and run Public Health Training Centers.

PG 913-914 Government starts a health care affirmative action program thru guise of diversity scholarships.

PG 915 SEC. 2251. Government MANDDATES Cultural and linguistic competency training for health care professionals.

Pg 932 The Government will establish Preventative and Wellness Trust fund- initial cost of $30,800,000,000 billion.

PG 935 21-22 Government will identify specific goals & objectives for prevention & wellness activities. Control YOU!!

PG 936 Government will develop “Healthy People and National Public Health Performance Standards” Tell me what to eat?

(NOTE FROM RJ—This is no joke—the government will be able to actually mandate what you can eat or not eat. This could be helpful for some, but do we want the government doing it? What is the most fat and out of shape entity on the planet? The Federal Government. What kind of shape do you think the bureaucrats will be in who mandate such for everyone else?)

PG 942 Lines 22-25 More government? Offices of Surgeon General -Public Health Svc, Minority Health, Women’s Health

PG 950- 980 BIG GOVERNMENT core pub health infrastructure including workforce capacity, lab systems, health info sys, etc.

PG 993 Government will establish school based health clinics. Your kids won’t have a chance.

PG 994 School Based Health Clinic will be integrated into the school environment. Say government brainwash!

PG 1001 The government will establish a National Medical Device Registry. Will you be tracked?

I've already canceled my membership. AARP is NOT looking out for its members by endorsing this healthcare bill. Just look at Canada or Europe how can anyone think this is a good thing.

Mr. Jackson, your blog has a condescending tone. They are your opinions and interpretations sir, not fact! Anything in opposition meets with the tired cliches of "lies" and "scare tactics". Your use of the word "euthanasia" smacks of arrogant exaggeration and elitism to belittle genuine and proven reasons to distrust government. Most glaring in your eloquent glossary are your ommissions. Crippling cost to ALL taxpayers. The math is simple, sir. Not one word of frivolous lawsuits; illegal aliens (who are actually more deserving than many so called citizens) but still not entitled; why this decades old debate is suddenly so urgent an emergency it usurps perusal, debate, even common sense reading before signing. I doubt there is a single senior citizen who has not suffered some form of government incompetency, intrusion, even evil. OF COURSE THEY'RE AFRAID!

I have always thought I could trust AARP to look out for seniors but with your stance on this health care bill this trust is destroyed. All has been said in the previous comments. I don't trust the government, AARP, our senators or represetatives. It is time for us, THE PEOPLE, to stand up for ourselves. I believe that is what's happening and I know we can take our country back. All politicians should be very, very worried right now. Our govenment has been incompetent in everything they have a hand in and have been for many years. Thank you past and present senators and representatives. You could have done something but you are too concerned with your party, power and/or finances. Forget parties and represent your constituents, but it's probably too late for you now. This present administration is the worst ever.
AARP I would think you could see this administration for what it is....striving for total government control.

Please just ask the people of Canada and the UK about their government run health care!! I met a lady getting her eyes operated on form ENGLAND, she was married to US residents so she was able to come to the U.S. to have the operation is she had waited she would have lost her sight , THATS JUST ONE STORY THERE ARE THOUSAND MORE JUST LIKE THIS ONE. We must think not only of ourselves but our children and grandchildren
STOP THIS NEW OBAMA and CONGRESS HEALTH CARE BILL
AND I AM DROPPING MY AARP MEMBERSHIP

IF THIS IS SUCH A GREAT PLAN WHY DOESN'T CONGRESS GIVE UP THEIR PLAN AND JOIN OBAMAS PLAN!!!!!!!!!!

stop this OBAMA AND CONGRESS HEALTH CARE BILL JUST ASK THE PEOPLE IN THE UK AND CANADA ABOUT THEIR CARE, MANY COME TO THE US FOR CARE I MET A LADY FROM FROM ENGLAND THAT HAD TO COME TO THE US FOR EYE SURGERY. IF SHE HAD WAITED FOR THE OPERATION IN ENGLAND SHE WOULD HAVE LOST HER SIGHT THERE ARE MANY STORIES LIKE THIS PLEASE THINK OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TOO IF THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT PLAN, LET CONGRESS GIVE UP THEIR PLAN AND USE THIS ONE

WE DO NOT WANT GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE

I PLAN TO GIVE UP MY AARP MEMBERSHIP

August 7, 2009

Dear Friend,

Senior citizens who went to a meeting sponsored by AARP in Dallas, Texas were left to themselves after the AARP hostess walked out. The seniors were trying to get answers concerning ObamaCare and why AARP would support a government controlled health system that many believe would lead to euthanasia and rationing of health care. Watch the video.

Why would AARP, the nation's largest seniors group, supposedly working for the elderly, support an ObamaCare bill? Here is what Dick Morris, former advisor to President Clinton, said: "The interest groups that usually speak up for the elderly, particularly AARP, are in Obama's pocket, hoping to profit from his program by becoming one of its vendors. Just as they backed Bush's prescription drug plan because they anticipated profiting from it, so they are now helping Obama gut the medical care of their constituents."

AARP is using its clout to push ObamaCare on the elderly, even if it includes euthanasia.

I'm a fairly new member to the AARP organization and have started to have regrets to that action. I can't believe that an organization that is suppose to be an advocate for senior citizens would endorse a bill that is obviously not in the best interest of that group. I'm not sure what motivates this organization to give even the possible endorsement of this bill. AARP better explain itself because I'm considering canceling my membership.

I do not understand why AARP, a membership organization, is not standing up for its members, rather than continuing to promote the Obama administration party line - at minimum, AARP should be presenting more balanced information. I do not think there is evidence that the government runs anything very well - all we hear is more spending and the latest abuses of power by elected officials (see the new planes ordered for congress).

In one news cycle we hear that medicare and social security will go bankrupt if not fixed (cuts or new taxes) and in the next (the next day) how washington is going to expand coverages all the while they are spending billions with little to show - money flows from washington and only offsets local government cuts while driving up debt with no idea how to pay it down.

Its time for AARP to reflect opinions of all of its members and not be an advocate for the current washington party line. Object now to the rush to create chnage that could harm us all for decades to come.

For years and years, aarp has been known as a left-leaning organization. My God!! If you want further proof, look at their executive roster and read the bios!! aarp is definitely 'in bed' with the obama administration because they're in the insurance business themselves!! They (aarp) will benefit greatly with the passage of H.R. 3200. You think they care about senior citizens in this country??!! You better guess again!! I just shredded my aarp membership card after an initial three (3) year trial membership. aarp did NOTHING for me during that three-year span, other than charging me $30.00 just so that I could carry their card around in my wallet!! YUK!! I strongly urge ALL aarp members to shred their cards immediately. This pseudo organization does absolutely NOTHING!!

If AARP doesn't take a more balanced, rational approach to the bebate about healthcare, my husband and I are cancelling our membership. There are many more like us...

Given that the number of doctors in America is not going to change overnight, you can not give 45 million new people a right to health care and expect that there won't be some rationing somewhere. It's basic supply and demand. It's also what you see in Canada now, which is why "medical tourism" is a large and growing business up there.

I read this report from an orthopedic surgeon. He actually read all 1018 pages of the bill. i thought I would pass it on.

Dr Janda graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Chemistry and Economics from Bucknell University and obtained his M.D. degree

from Northwestern University Medical School.

Dr. Dave Janda's take on the Health Care Bill.

THE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE OBAMACARE
Written by Dr. Dave Janda
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Dr. Dave Janda, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon, and a world-recognized expert
on the prevention of sports injuries, particularly in children. His website
is noinjury.com.

As a physician who has authored books on preventative health care, I
was given the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at a Congressional
Dinner at The Capitol Building in Washington last Friday (7/17).

The presentation was entitled Health Care Reform, The Power & Profit
of Prevention, and I was gratified that it was well received.

In preparation for the presentation, I read the latest version of
"reform" as authored by The Obama Administration and supported by Speaker
Pelosi and Senator Reid. Here is the link to the 1,018 page document:
http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-07140
9.pdf

Let me summarize just a few salient points of the above plan.
First, however, it should be clear that the same warning notice must be
placed on The ObamaCare Plan as on a pack of cigarettes: Consuming this
product will be hazardous to your health.

The underlying method of cutting costs throughout the plan is based
on rationing and denying care. There is no focus on preventing health care
need whatever. The plan's method is the most inhumane and unethical approach
to cutting costs I can imagine as a physician.

The rationing of care is implemented throughThe National Health Care
Board, according to the plan. This illustrious Board "will approve or
reject treatment for patients based on the cost per treatment divided by the
number of years the patient will benefit from the treatment."

Translation.....if you are over 65 or have been recently diagnosed
as having an advanced form of cardiac disease or aggressive cancer.....dream
on if you think you will get treated.....pick out your coffin.

Oh, you say this could never happen? Sorry.... this is the same
model they use in Britain.

The plan mandates that there will be little or no advanced
treatments to be available in the future. It creates The Federal
Coordinating Council For Comparative Effectiveness Research, the purpose of
which is "to slow the development of new medications and technologies in
order to reduce costs." Yes, this is to be the law.

The plan also outlines that doctors and hospitals will be overseen
and reviewed byThe National Coordinator For Health Information and
Technology.

This "coordinator" will "monitor treatments being delivered to make
sure doctors and hospitals are strictly following government guidelines that
are deemed appropriate." It goes on to say....."Doctors and hospitals not
adhering to guidelines will face penalties."

According to those in Congress, penalties could include large six
figure financial fines and possible imprisonment.

So according to The Obama Care Plan....if your doctor saves your
life you might have to go to the prison to see your doctor for follow -up
appointments. I believe this is the same model Stalin used in the former
Soviet Union.

Section 102 has the Orwellian title, "Protecting the Choice to Keep
Current Coverage." What this section really mandates is that it is illegal
to keep your private insurance if your status changes - e.g., if you lose or
change your job, retire from your job and become a senior, graduate from
college and get your first job. Yes, illegal.

When Mr. Obama hosted a conference call with blogger surging them to
pressure Congress to pass his health plan as soon as possible, a blogger
from Maine referenced an Investors Business Daily article that claimed
Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance.

He asked: "Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance
and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is
passed?" Mr. Obama replied: "You know, I have to say that I am not familiar
with the provision you are talking about."

Then there is Section 1233 of The Obama Care Plan, devoted to
"Advanced Care Planning." After each American turns 65 years of age they
have to go to a mandated counseling program that is designed to end life
sooner.

This session is to occur every 5 years unless the person has
developed a chronic illness then it must be done every year. The topics in
this session will include, "how to decline hydration, nutrition and how to
initiate hospice care." It is no wonder The Obama Administration does not
like my emphasis on Prevention. For Mr. Obama, prevention is the "enemy" as
people would live longer.

I rest my case. The Obama Care Plan is hazardous to the health of
every American.

After I finished my Capitol Hill presentation, I was asked by a
Congressman in the question-answer session: "I'll be doing a number of
network interviews on the Obama Health Care Plan. If I am asked what is the
one word to describe the plan what should I answer."

The answer is simple, honest, direct, analytical, sad but truthful.
I told him that one word is FASCIST.

Then I added, "I hope you'll have the courage to use that word,
Congressman. No other word is more appropriate."

Isn't it strange that our wise members of congress are exempt from this plan that the AARP thinks is so good for the rest of us. I don't know who AARP is representing--it's pretty obvious where their financial support goes--but it isn't me. I'm cancelling my membership.

Well Mr. Jackson, we are fighting back too. Against AARP’s liberal agenda. You stated your opinion, not the facts. But, you represent yourself as a "subject matter expert" on health care reform. Sir, read the Bill. You state that end-of-life counseling is optional. No where in the Society Security Act or H.R. 3200 is the word “optional” used as it relates specifically relates to end-of-life counseling. And, no where do you provide a quote from any authority validating your claim that it is optional. Why do you think the word optional was left out. We all know the answer to that. You state that Medicare benefits will not be cut. For crying out loud, where is the 500 billion dollars going to come from? We are going to provide mandatory health care coverage for 50 million uninsured people. The money has got to come from somewhere.

You state that no legislation in Congress would mandate rationing care. The following is an exact excerpt from H.R. 3200 (Page 431, Lines 22-25) & Page 432, Lines 1-19): “Quality Measures” ‘‘(3) PHYSICIAN’S QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2011 and any subsequent year, to the extent that measures are available, the Secretary shall include quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that have been adopted or endorsed by a consensus-based organization, if appropriate. Such measures shall measure both the creation of and adherence to orders for life sustaining treatment. ‘‘(B) PROPOSED SET OF MEASURES.—The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register proposed quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that the Secretary determines are described in subparagraph (A) and would be appropriate for eligible professionals to use to submit data to the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such set of measures before finalizing such proposed measures.’’. So, Mr. Jackson, a consensus-based organization (a committee of experts) will dictate to doctors and the health care system the criteria for end of life services. Don’t forget … this is written by lawyers, so use your common sense and read between the lines. Mr. Jackson, this is rationing.

In any event, I think it is easy to miss the point here. The point is, HR 3200 moves the end-of-life planning from an individual and/or their family to the government. Why? Because the government is paying for the service. No, we say! End-of-life planning is still between the patient and their physician under HR 3200. Duh … the doctor will be controlled by “Quality Measures”. My end-of-life planning is between my family and my family attorney as delineated in my last will and testament, as it should be. I have the documents in place that dictate my wishes; i.e., medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney, living will, etc. I want it to stay that way. My doctor or the government doesn’t get a vote. So when you put Advanced Care Planning Consultation with “Quality Measures”, there is only one logical conclusion. The consultations are not going to be optional. By-the way, I cannot continue to support AARP. I am cancelling my membership.

"Mike cuthbert says:

Fascinating fulminations from "Jim" but I looked in vain for any admission that our health care system needs any fixing. Alternatives to the current disaster might even be constructive, but I'm not sure that's your purpose."

Mike, those who know me and have followed my postings know many alternatives have been offered yet with this president and administration it is "my way or the highway"

People are (rightly) reacting to a President who wants to ram something through that does not meet his stated objectives and is plain bad for America for so many reasons.

What people like you fail to realize is that health care did not get us into the financial mess we are in and it will not get us out. Much more important at the moment is getting this country out of a recession - not by running up deficits that the president campaigned against (but now has created more than all Presidents combined). Americans want their jobs back - not roads paved. They don't want banks bailed out that pay millions in bonuses to employees, they don't want to own failed car companies. This president and this congress are focused on the wrong things. Sure the health care insurance industry needs better regulation but that is not what is most important issue at the moment - he's out of touch and curiously angry that people don't support him. We have a looming housing crisis (again) with Ginnie Mae and a boat load of subprime mortgages that the government continues to underwrite (rememebr that got us in throuble the first time), we have a commercial real estate loan bubble about to burst that will make the firt financial meltdown look small and this president and this congress are worried about health care.

I don't understand all the yelling about government run health care from people who are on Medicare. Who do you think runs Medicare? I think most people are grateful that we have Medicare. My mother died at 50 because she had no insurance. I, on the other hand, am now 75 although I have many of the problems that my mother had. Do you people really have no sympathy at all for all the millions who have no insurance at all? This is just not the kind of people that I thought lived in this country?
Hrj

If AARP backs either health care plan now being proposed, I will terminate my membership in AARP, and will advise all my friends, family, and clients to do the same

AARP has gotten into the business of selling insurance and not standing up for all it's members.This organization needs to oppose this huge government take over of the health care system and start promoting tort reform and interstate competition between the health insurance companies and stop promoting this White House and its socialistic programs.I will not renew my membership unless there is a major change with this organization.

Dear Sirs,
I will not be renewing my membership of 21 years,, This is a result of AARP`S failure to act in the best interest of myself and other seniors. Get your act together on this phony medical care plan, Currently being touted by Congree and the White House....

I am not a member of AARP in spite of the fact that I have been constantly solicited (Btw please cease and desist doing so.). For that reason you may not care for my opinion at all. Frankly for me the cost far outweighs the benefits. Furthermore the political arm of AARP does not represent what I think it ought (The membership and not political aims).For all the talk about being non-political it sure doesn't come out that way very often.

The AARP comments related to the health care bill (including the TV add I saw last night) sure don't say AARP HAS NOT thrown its support behind some version of the health care bill. It seems to me that it rather implies that you do.

The fact that there are problems with the way the health care system is operates is old news. While it certainly could be improved, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak. I am certain your membership feels the same way.

For me the implication of AARP's failure to clearly state its stand on the bill(s) which is trying to be rushed thru by President Obama et all is clearly indicator of its political position. The organizational position should be: A clear and simple yes, or no we don’t, support the bill(s) as written, and why. Evidently even the President Obama thinks AARP supports his agenda.
At any rate the lack of clarity ( at best )or (plain old political double talk at worst) has helped me to decide the more FIRMLY AGAINST ever joining AARP.

My wife and I have been trying to decide whether to cancel our membership or not. Each passing year it seems that AARP focuses more and more on AARP and less on the interests and needs of seniors. The healthcare issue is part of it, as is gun control and other topics. AARP seems to lean more and more to the left, to the point where I don't believe I am represented accurately. Not cancelling tells AARP I support their positions, which is not true. And cancelling does not seem to impress them. Caught between a rock and a hard place.

Hi Barry:
No need to overhaul the entire health care program just give us the same health plan given to our politicians THAT WE PAY FOR. Problem solved.

Sincerely:

Paul H. Bartnek
Membership# 0648101970

HELLOOOOOOOO!! Hey, AARP! Are you reading anything from your readers!! It sure doesn't sound like it! I just heard on the news you are going to support this socalled ' Health Care Reform ' bill AGAIN! Not with ME as a member pal! Cancel my membership! I've been searching all over your website and I haven't found anywhere that I can cancell it. I'm outta here, fella! Member # 028019013 3