ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

You have just lost 2 members due to your political stand on the most ill advised piece of legislation ever introduced.

I am fully disgusted at the recent endorsement of a government run health care system. I find it a total betrayal of your members to endorse a system of ineffective management and huge tax burden on our future generations. Although I do not have my member number with me, I can assure I will drop my membership to your organizations immediately.

With the announcement that AARP endorses the Democratic House Bill relatative to Health Care Reform, I am putting the organization on notice that I will not renew and further subscriptions to AARP.

It is my understanding that although AARP has reviewed the bill, it has given no consideration to the GOP Bill submitted that would lower costs and put a maximim on monetery awards.

If this was never considered, my subscription will no longer be renewed.

AARP's endoresement of the current health care legislation is unconscionable. I agree in principal with most of the goals AARP has expressed about health care, the insuranace companies, and providers. However, the legistlation is an unpractical piece of federal government interferance in a public sector that uses terriable rules and regulations and penalties to attempt to achieve what free enterprise can do better.

Congress has lost its ablility to write laws and the current House and Senate bill are examples of very bad ones. Good legislation used to have positive incentives for private entertrise to accomplish needed change. This health care legistlation is full of penalties and fines; all negative stuff which seldom helps achieve a goal. The red-tape as we used to call it is rampant in these bills. At leaset the GOP's plan trys to rememdy some of these very serious problems.

No one in Washington is using their head when it comes to handling the cost of this proposed legislation. A reasonalbe and sane approach to handle these expensive health care goals is to break them down in to reasonable packages, each of which can be tested, improved and further developed. If part doesn't work out or is too expensive we can change that part. The manner which Congress has promoted this legislation is insane and unmannageable. It you believe that the finanaical instiutions are unmanaged, wait to you see how government will try to manage health care.

I urge AARP to amend its support of this legislation. The goals are fine, however Congress' current approach to health care is un-acceptable and un-affordable.

I am very disappointed that AARP supports the current healthcare reform legislation. It is poor legislation and I think you are doing a disservice to your retired members.

I probably will not get my health insurance through the AARP programs and I probably will just cancel my membership in AARP.

I have written to my representatives in the US Congress, Sen. Jim Webb [D-VA], Sen. Mark Warner [D-VA], Rep. Frank Wolf [R-VA10] District 10 Map

I said "I oppose the present Democratic version of the Health Care Reform Bill. I am writing you to encourage you to think twice about voting for the more than $1 trillion health care overhaul. I am 65 years old, a retired military veteran, and a veteran of Viet Nam. I feel strongly about the bill; I USED to belong to AARP, but have stopped my membership because the AARP supports the reform bill. Please vote NO on this legislation."

If aarp cannot forsee the damage this heath care bill will do to this country. I will not be a member, and will not renew my membership.

Dennis E. Johnson

I could not disagree with you more. I believe AARP should be focusing on Medicare alone and not the healthcare bill as a whole. Once Medicare has been improved and the VA System for our elderly has been reigned in and improved then I think if the AARP wants to expand their focus then that may be considered. There is so much to do in these areas your time and focus would be better spent on these areas. I hope that I do not have to start lobbying against an organization such as AARP because of your support of the healthcare bill. I believe you are missleading a great number of your members by supporting this bill. I would certainly be happy to give you some sound examples missuse if you would be interested. Thank you.

I am very disappointed in AARP for supporing the presidents health care bill. I can not believe that you bought into the same sweet taling promises and lies. this is just a continuation of the lies from the beginning. He has basically said that old people have surved their purpose and the government should not have to support them. He cares more for illegals and the terroist countries than he does about the older generation in America. What you did today was the biggest finical contribution you could have made to the president (it was worth more than money). It will help him sell the lies in the health bill.

What assurance does AARP have that the final version of the bill will contain the elements important and/or not harmful to AARP members? Has AARP's endorsement just given the House a carte blanch license to steal?

Two more are leaving AARP as a result of this foolish endorsement. My wife and I will be quitting ASAP. This bill violates so many of my principles I can't even begin to enumerate them. I am sure that AARP will rue the day that the organization decided to support this atrocity that will allow the governmental to further take over our economy and a put in place a system that will end up rationing health care and injuring those very people this organization was created to represent.

won't be joining AARP NO WAY!!!

After 20 years......AARP ..bye bye
Enough said !!!!!!!

I will not renew my membership, this is possibly the worse legislation i have ever seen try to be forced upon America!!
Shame on AARP for pushing this...I will campaign to put this org out of business!!!!

We are stunned to see that AARP would support such a debacle-you have fallen lockstep in line with those in government who wish to destroy the USA and everything we believe in. My husband & I will be leaving AARP ASAP!

You have just lost more members due to your endorsement of the Obama health insurance debacle. We as seniors do not want the government involved in the personal insurance of the individual. We are not an uninformed as you are. We know the truth behind the health care agenda which involves a lot more then you let on. Say about 20,000,000+
If the fact be stated the government needs to reign in the insurance companies that perpetuate the waste and fraud of millions of dollars from individuals and the government.
AARP's agenda is not in the interest of it's members. Look at all the negative responses you have received.
Good bye!! You get the point...

Even if I live to be 200 years old I won't ever join AARP based on this health insurance reform stance you're taking. You represent seniors and the reform is going to strip out billions in senior care; raise taxes, fees and fines on everyone; and, lower all people's quality of care.

AARP has no right to say that it represents Senior America because it does not. I resent and deplore the leadership of AARP for thinking they are acting in all Seniors best interests and it is very evident that AARP has turn into a very liberal left wing organization that cares nothing about the conservative side of the health care issue.

I am cancelling my Membership and that of my wife effective immediately and I intend to encourage 230 others on my mailing list to do the same. Perhaps a big drop in Members lost will bring AARP back down to Earth and they will return to what they should be for its Membership. Politics is not the purpose of AARP and hopefully that message will be loud and clear over the coming months as Members close their Memberships and fail to renew.

Disappointed is not a harsh enough term for how my wife and I feel about the AARP's endorsement of this bill. If you continue to support this legislation you will be party to the biggest farce ever perpetrated on the American people. Constitutionally, the government does not have the power to implement this kind of program and this bill is purely a power grab by a bunch of far left Socialists. I predict this bill will never become law because more and more people see the hidden agenda behind those pushing for this kind of healthcare system.

Personally, I cannot afford the increased costs that will result from this bill and my wife and I are hereby giving you notice that we are not going to continue as members of this kind of organization. So save your postage...we are done.

AARP has, imo, made a huge mistake in the Lobbying Effort in DC and recent endorsement of this Healthcare Bill. All is on the table right now and the numbers that AARP has put forth with respect to customers lost versus customers gained is indeed 'skewed'. AARP, as a NPO, is no more than 'a big insurance company' attempting to grow based on association. Take a look at theit Form 990 submittal to the IRS and tell me I am wrong.

In summary, watch their membership numbers 'fall' over the next twelve months..!

Good Luck AARP, you made a bad decision in playing politics at this critical time.

It is unfortunate that AARP has decided to take this stand. As a newer member, not yet reaching the age of 60, I will also not be renewing my membership. Anytime the government promises that they will make anything affordable, we have seen what really happens, the costs are usually triple or quadruple the amount. With a national debt already at 12 almost 13 million, and it doesn't do anything until 2013, how is this supposed to help anyone.

How is it that they are excluded from participating in this program? Is it really that good?

Hopefully after the 2010 elections, we will get the right people in office to stop this thing from ever coming to pass. The first order of business of the new congress in 2011 should be to cancel this bill if it gets passed. I know I won't be voting for anyone who votes for this piece of garbage bill.

Thanks for listening.

I have been wanting to join AARP for about a year now, but I have just never gotten around to it. Thank God I didn't! I want nothing to do with an organization that endorses the socialist agendas of a government that trys to cram legislation down the throats of the American public! I am appalled that AARP would sell out everyone of its members to back the most corrupt government in American history! (Is somebody's hand getting greased here?) They should be screaming for impeachment and possible treason charges, not backing the systematic bankruptcy of America! We flat out can not afford this bill! Yes, we need health care reform but this is not it! America needs to become monitarily responsible and spending money we don't have is not the way! Whats the dang rush anyway? Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time! HEY AARP, WAKE UP AND READ WHAT YOUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEHIND THIS BONEHEADED MOVE!!!

We need health care reform. WE DO NOT NEED THE 2000+ PAGE OBAMANATION THAT THE HOUSE HAS PUT ON THE TABLE. Who within AARP has made sense of it? It will be an unworkable mess that will be ripe for fraud, will not work, and will bankrupt us! A bankrupt nation no good for anyone. Consider AARP on notice of cancellation of my membership.

The signing of the upcoming health bill is a disastrous move on anyone's part. I know no one who understands it completely. I hope you would not support a bill you do not understand completely and if you do understand it you are committing a crime to all that you represent.

I just came of age for your services. You will not see a penny from me. You are in Obama back pocket and its going to cost the public and the elderly untold amounts.
Rise above this and do the right thing for the people you represent. AARP should be ashamed !!!!

I've been sick of AARP speaking on my behalf with this administration for sometime. But this tops it. AARP DOES not represent the membership and this is total BS to endorse this stupid health care plan or anything else for that matter. I will not be renewing my membership which I have had for almost 15 years. AARP NEEDS TO KEEP OUT OF THE POLITICAL BUSINESS. My current insurance is much better than anything AARP had to offer anyway.

I am sick of AARP kissing the Democrats ass and endorsing something on my behalf that I do not approve of. I did not join AARP for them to speak for me without bothering asking the members opinion. I'll join the rest of the above and not renew my membership into this now useless organization.

I chose to not belong to AARP several years ago because of the Liberal bias in your political activities. Today, I will be sure to tell my friends that do belong to cut up their membership cards and donate their money to maun stream ideas.

I will quit AARP. You cannot represent me at all by approving this poorly designed government overpower. What allows you to think that I could or would support any endorsement of a program to be designed by this administration and congress. The House of Representative is where health/mentalcare should be installed. Good Bye

The idea of a company, and yes AARP has become a company that sells insurance, backing the president's health reform bill is an example of a company's bottom line being more important than its stated goals of promoting benefits and the welfare of senior citizens of this country. You have erred greatly far as me and hundreds of others are concerned. We will not renew our membership nor buy your insurance policies ever again.

We will not be renewing our membership with AARP and do not wish to receive any more of your mail---ditto to the above remarks

OK AARP why aren't you posting the posts that I for one posted hours ago stating I also would not renew. DON'T ENDORSE SOMETHING THAT I PAY MY DUES TO WITHOUT ASKING ME IF I APPROVE.

You SOLD OUT your own members Barry. Cutting Medicare by $400 BILLION is a good thing?

Maybe all your members should read this article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-200911050804mctnewsservbc-aarp-con-mct1084nov0,0,7468640.story

I just change channels when your misleading ads come on the tube.

You don't have my support or my money any longer.

The AARP has just sold out its members in the interest of political expediency. I would encourage all current AARP members to lobby strenuously for the removal of this CEO, first, and then to take a serious look at whether the AARP organization continues to represent them. It is extremely doubtful that my membership will be renewed in the coming months.

I refuse to advocate for an ill-conceived legislative proposal that places the burden for payment upon future generations, does NOT include reasoned deliberation from BOTH parties, places emphasis on penalties instead of incentives, forces people into certain plans against their free will, and includes language vague enough to make an interpretation of "death panels" possible and likely to contain costs. These are not the types of things my ancestors fought for from the Revolutionary War onward.

Be ashamed. Be very ashamed!

The possibility of anyone in their right mind endorsing this HR Bill. is ludicrous. Nancy Polosi, Harry Illiterate,and Barack the Crock are Socialistic idiots who wish to control the economy. They could give a rats posterior about health care, or the American Public. What I want to know is who the H elected the leaders of AARP and how the H do we get rid of them? I know that AARP is more interested in selling insurance than they are seniors, we have always known that, but it is time for these folks who are in the pockets of the DUMBOCRATES to sent packing..

Has anyone ever canceled their membership and got a refund? Unfortunately I am paid untill March 2012. Rest assured I will not renew or support any thing now that the AARP endorses. And actually I am insulted that this supposed organization that portrays itself as serving and helping seniors would support such a move against the very members its supposed to be representing. So here we go, add two more to the I'm sure growing numbers that want out.

AARP is a political organization obviously. This huge legislation will only result in more inefficiencies and higher costs for all stakeholders. Why AARP? For every page of legislation -- ten pages of regulations will be needed. That's the way laws work. The current law DOES NOTHING to help the poor and needy and vulnerable access to quality care. We need a safety net in our society for those in need. We have medicaid and medicare and the child insurance program. Let's IMPROVE those first. I am so disgusted with AARP. Obviously we won't be renewing, but that is obviously not an issue for AARP. The inertia of "well meaning" policy geeks has pervailed. Sad.

goodbye

We will not renew our membership in AARP. They have sold us out.
They can depend on George Soros to finance their efforts.

My wife and I have been aarp members since 1993. After you have announced your support this abominable legislation, I realize that you have become a liberal support group that is anathema to any values held by Americans and our Constitution and it's Bill of Rights.

I cannot find any mention in these founding documents that grants Congress the authority to inflict this legislation upon the nation. That you would support this abomination is totally reprehensible! I absolve you of any permission you may think you have to represent me in the present or the future.

I have canceled our membership in aarp and trust you will refund the remainder of our membership fee. Shame on me for being a member since 1993.

Goodbye.

I would like to know if anyone has been "surveyed" from AARP as to whether AARP should back the Health Plan or not. Before
AARP starts backing any kind of legistration, they should ask
their members first and then go with the majority of those surveyed. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the new Health Plan reform. My wife and I have both decided not to become members of AARP any longer.

I would like to know if anyone has been "surveyed" from AARP as to whether AARP should back the Health Plan or not. Before
AARP starts backing any kind of legistration, they should ask
their members first and then go with the majority of those surveyed. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the new Health Plan reform. My wife and I have both decided not to become members of AARP any longer.

The leadership at AARP has sold the organization out politically. The health care bill endorsed will be a disaster for seniors and all Americans. No doubt many members will leave as a result but perhaps enough will remain to remove you people from your jobs and hire those that will honestly represent the needs and wishes of your membership. If you were to conduct an honest survey of members, you would learn what you already know, that this health care endorsement is unwanted by the membership.

AARP Health Care Endorsement?
…pathetic, inane, dumbfounding, stupefying, incongruous, ridiculous, and idiotic… and for all that you have done - I consciously, willfully, and gleefully resign my membership in A.A.R.P. You do NOT represent me, my family, my future, or what I wish this country to be. Joe Giacinto

For those of you who have looked for a phone number or email address in which you could cancel your Membership, after serious minutes in looking, I found the number for cancelling memberships. It is 888-687-2277.

My wife and I are no longer Members after 25 years of Membership.

Since AARP has been in the business of selling insurance for many years as a third party, could it be in recent discussions with Obama that AARP was told that they would be in line to sell government controlled health insurance for the government? What an opportunity that would be............

You have just lost another member. It is obvious that AARP is not speaking for its members. I wonder if the GAP insurance profit for AARP that is in the bill had anything to do with the support.

I guess us older folks need to start another organization.

I won't elaborate on the reasons for my objection to AARP's endoresment of the Health Care Bill being ram-rodded through the house. My objectons have already been stated time and again by others posting here. My family and I will no longer remain or become members of AARP. Please reconsider your position on this legislation and take appropriate action to represent your members.

I cancelled my husband's and my membership in AARP yesterday. I was able to connect with an operator at the 888-678-2277 number reasonably quickly when I called early in the day. I was asked why I was cancelling the membership. I responded that we were extremely disappointed in AARP's support of the Health Care Bill before Congress and that the bill's passage would be a grievous mistake for the country.

We had taken advantage of discounts on travel in the past and, of course, will be disappointed to spend more for hotel rooms from now on. But if the Health Care Bill becomes law, we all will be spending much, much more in dollars as well as pain and suffering as the health care system in the USA declines in services available and in rapidity of care.

It is so sad that our legislators and president and others in decision-making positions are so out-of-touch with the concerns and wishes of their constituents.

Was the endorsement of the final bill, made several days prior to the Affordable Healthcare for America Act being agreed to, unanimous from the board of trustees?
Did all 23 vote? Is it a matter of public record anywhere?

Who actually read the final bill before the votes were cast and the endorsement made?

Why are there no midwest representatives on the board?
With California and the west coast overly represented, the east coast with adequate representation, and both the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands represented on the board, perhaps Ohio, Indiana, a real Illinois person, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, etc. could provide some balance to the group.

I noticed that the final bill is $1.3 trillion, up from $1.2! Where did the extra $100 Billion go to in the final bill?

How dare the Democrats in the House suggest that AARP and its millions of members endorse the House Health reform bill. While the powers that be in AARP may endorse this attrocious bill, I as a member--soon to be ex-member--do not! Did AARP poll its members to get the real feelings of its paying membership? 2000 page health reform bill. not understandable and using a shotgun to kill a butterfly!

We are very disgruntled with your decission to back the Healthcare Reform Bill and even more upset that our name is associated with an organization that does so. Therefore, we are officially asking you to remove our membership with AARP and any of it's subsidiary companies and to desist in sending us any more propaganda you may spew out. Your decision to back this bill has negated any positiive feelings we had about AARP. Many of our friends are also pulling out of AARP. We hope the money you are making from this decission will be enough to ease your conscience for what you are now costing others to lose.

My area is having enough trouble with the low payments made by Medicare. Instead of overhauling the way Medicare pays all these scam artists, the legitimate members are being penalized with the help of Congress. As a member of AARP, I was under the impression it would work to protect my rights. I was wrong. I guess the only one looking out for my rights is me, not AARP, not the President, and not Congress. I'm hoping the Senate will have better sense. Any time the government is involved, it turns into a disaster. As I no longer can trust AARP to look out for me, I am giving notice that I do not plan on renewing my membership when it falls due in 2010. After reading other's comments, I am not alone. Maybe we should start our own organization. Let this government know that we do still have power.