AARP Supports Health Insurance Reform Legislation Before Congress

[babylonsister]

Breaking News: AARP Supports Health Insurance Reform Legislation Before Congress
March 19th, 2010 by Karina


Today, AARP announced support for the comprehensive and historic health insurance reform legislation before Congress. AARP Board Chair Bonnie Cramer writes:

The legislative package cracks down on insurance company abuses and protects and strengthens guaranteed benefits in Medicare, the program millions of our members depend on and in which millions more will soon enroll.

It closes the dreaded Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole,’ a gap in prescription drug coverage that is life-threatening for many.

The package stops insurance companies from pricing people out of coverage because they have an existing health problem or arbitrarily limiting the amount of care someone can receive.

It also limits insurance companies’ ability to charge higher premiums based solely on age.

And it improves efforts to crack down on fraud and waste in Medicare, strengthening the program for today’s seniors and future generations…

We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to improve health care so older Americans and their families get the care they need.

Full release at link~

http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=2201

[NightWatcher]

1. AARP is an insurance company that posted 1.14 Billion in profits in 08. Of course they want this

Did you also see how the Insurance Companies did today on the Dow? Pretty well. They are licking their chops ahead of getting all those new clients forced into their market.

[HughMoran]

2. Nonsense garbage

:eyes:

[NightWatcher]

4. what part is nonsense? that AARP sells insurance?

http://products.aarp.org/health/

[HughMoran]

5. I meant 'utter nonsense garbage'

SO they sell insurance, the rest of what you said was just made up horseshit.

[ProSense]

9. Yup, nonsense

AARP Health

Life is better when you’re not worried about health care coverage. Navigating the world of health care can be daunting for anyone. Especially when you’re over 50. Fortunately, AARP knows you want quality, affordable health care. And through relationships with leading companies, AARP makes available a range of health products, services, & discounts.

As a member, you have a range of diverse options to choose from. Like comprehensive or complementary health insurance, dental and long term care insurance and discounts on prescriptions, vision and gym memberships.

AARP doesn’t offer these plans, nor do they recommend a particular one. However, they do provide free information from top companies so you can choose confidently and feel better about the road ahead.

About AARP

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

AARP has grown to 40 million members and has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As the nation’s largest membership organization for people 50+, AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50.

About the AARP Foundation

Overview
AARP Foundation programs and legal advocacy efforts address issues that affect people age 50 and over on a daily basis, as well as emerging trends that will affect people more and more as they age. In addition to direct service and programs, the Foundation also offers numerous volunteer and charitable giving opportunities.

Lot's of non-profit organizations offer discounts on products.

[babylonsister]

3. That may be, but then why are they coming out for this and not

lobbying like crazy against it like every other company? Your argument sounds a tad faulty. Maybe they see the writing on the wall and might have a bit of interest in representing their members.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/01/lobbyists-millions-obama-healthcare-reform

[NightWatcher]

6. they dont want to lobby against this, they are going to make billions. From today's DOW

Aetna AET 34.46 +1.22 (3.67%)
Cigna CI 37.08 +1.24 (3.46%
Humana HUM 50.00 -0.09 (-0.18%) 52 week range 23.49 - 52.66


they are obviously scared shitless

[babylonsister]

7. You didn't answer the question. Why are ins. companies lobbying

so hard if it's in their best interests to approve of HCR? And what they're doing doesn't wash with AARP.
I don't think you have an argument, you just like to argue. :P

[NightWatcher]

8. the insurance companies are lobbying to make sure the bill stays watered down

They are lobbying to make sure that public option is not an option. They are lobbying to make sure that we do not get Medicare for All. I think that they have fought hard to get the bill that they are getting, one that makes sure we are held to mandates and make sure that most of the protections for we the people dont kick in until 2014.

[NYC_SKP]

11. Or it may be NOT!

:rofl:

It's a non-profit.

They're a lobbying group for certain, and started and run by UnitedHealth Group Inc.

But they don't have profits..

[NYC_SKP]

10. LOLOLOL!!! No, their operating expenses were $1.14 Billion, not their profits. Good Lord.

PDF: http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/TopicAreas/annual_reports/assets/AARPfinancialsummary.pdf

Expenses
AARP contained 2008 operating
expenses to $1.14 billion, down 2
percent from 2007. AARP continued
to invest in member value and
social impact areas in furtherance
of its mission. For example, $114
million was invested in membership
development and $284 million was
invested in member services.

Programs and field services of $298
million included expenditures for
work-training, tax assistance and
driver safety programs, support
of our state offices, as well as our
Divided We Fail initiative, promoting
health reform and financial security.
Our publications expenditures of
$178 million supported educating
and informing our members
through AARP The Magazine, the
AARP Bulletin, and AARP Segunda
Juventud.

Recent changes in accounting
standards require the recognition of
certain post-retirement benefit costs,
which amounted to an unrealized
loss of $112 million in 2008.
..."

:P

[WinkyDink]

12. AARP previously supported Bush in not allowing cost-reducing bidding for Medicare.