AARP loses members over health care stance

WASHINGTON (AP) — About 60,000 senior citizens have quit AARP since July 1 due to the group's support for a health care overhaul, a spokesman for the organization said Monday.
The membership loss suggests dissatisfaction on the part of AARP members at a time when many senior citizens are concerned about proposed cuts to Medicare providers to help pay for making health care available for all. But spokesman Drew Nannis said it wasn't unusual for the powerful, 40 million-strong senior citizens' lobby to shed members in droves when it's advocating on a controversial issue.

AARP is strongly backing a health care overhaul, running ads to support it and hosting President Obama at an online forum recently to promote his agenda to AARP members. However, the group has not endorsed a specific bill and says it won't support a plan that reduces Medicare benefits.

USA Today

Seems more and more people don't want Obama care.

Did you all heare at a "townhall meeting, Obama was asked if he and "his" family would uase obama-care???

He refused to answer, a clear, no, answer.

the next day all congress and such in washington were exempted from Obama-care.....

Originally posted by mrmonsoon


Did you all heare at a "townhall meeting, Obama was asked if he and "his" family would uase obama-care???

He refused to answer, a clear, no, answer.

He did the same during his televised press conference in July and, in fact, I think that's the very moment where he lost this debate.

People at these town halls should be asking that question of Obama and the members of Congress every single time they hold one of these events because their refusal to answer so far is very, very telling.

reply to post by vor78


I agree with you.

I feel they should tell Obama that if he expects us to accept Obama-care, then he/his family and all of congress should also.

The fact that he and congress won't is VERY telling.

Back on topic... I think that AARP losing members simply supports the notion that the resistance to this plan is very real. This is not some purchased by special interest, astroturf movement that the MSM and Obama Admin want you to think it is. People are genuinely displeased with continued government intrusion on our lives. I say "AMEN" to the folks who are voting with the words and their feet and leavign these organizations!

Now, back off topic... This is EXACTLY what I have been saying for weeks. If this plan is so great and so wonderful and so helpful then why has Congress exempted themselves and their union cronies who helped get them elected??? On the surface, they claim that they have exempted the unions because the union has "Contracts." To that I say BS!!! GM and Chrystler had contracts with thousands of creditors and suppliers and they single-handedly negated those contracts with the strike of pen and the smack of a gavel! NO! They exempted themselves and their hired thugs because, frankly, the proposed program sucks and amounts to a death sentence for anyone with a serious illness!

My parents are done with AARP as well. They have canceled their membership and will never renew it. I think AARP's members have sent a clear message and rightfully so. Their membership base is a powerful and asset wealthy group of people who have had enough.

Best of all, these folks never miss a vote. I am looking forward to 2010. Time to start buying stock in Kleenex and Puffs tissues. The Whaambulance is on its way.

reply to post by kozmo


According to Gibbs those protests are just "Good tv"



I do agree that the number of people dropping AARP is a sign that the opposistion to this plan is real and not "Astroturfed". While I can admire and respect Obama's desire to reform healthcare, but this is a reform that needs to be done carefully and patiently not within in a month's time. I think the Gibb's comment just reflects Obama's disdain for the common man and out of touch his administration is with the people.

Originally posted by jibeho
My parents are done with AARP as well. They have canceled their membership and will never renew it. I think AARP's members have sent a clear message and rightfully so. Their membership base is a powerful and asset wealthy group of people who have had enough.

Powerful and wealthy huh?

Well, they don't speak for the middle class so f#ck them elitist

Without a crystal ball, I really can't say for sure what the best choice is. All I know is that something has to change with the healthcare system. The main problem seems to be excessive costs.

Elderly people don't like these type of decisions and changes. It's just too confusing and obviously there are trust issues, especially after the last fiasco with prescription providers etc.

I just reluctantly joined AARP just to get the auto insurance. I had few quotes and only recognized this by advertisements. I formerly had Farm Bureau and besides paying a $50.00 anual membership, my premium just kept going up as well. It's been a week now and I still haven't received anything in the mail of my coverage. WTH?

I also wonder how long before we get a computer answering service using 911.

I can just hear a SNL parody on that scenario.

[edit on 18-8-2009 by aleon1018]

reply to post by Kords21


Side note - Gibbs reminds me of the Pillsbury Dough Boy for some reason.
He serously seems out of his element and like he's been promoted above his capability level.


On topic.... an interesting blog saying that ObamaCare has really already been passed -
read here .



[edit on 8/18/2009 by FlyersFan]

Originally posted by Better Mouse Trap

Originally posted by jibeho
My parents are done with AARP as well. They have canceled their membership and will never renew it. I think AARP's members have sent a clear message and rightfully so. Their membership base is a powerful and asset wealthy group of people who have had enough.

Powerful and wealthy huh?

Well, they don't speak for the middle class so f#ck them elitist

I said asset wealthy. My parents, my in laws, my brothers in laws, my aunts and uncles all of the same age mid sixies to early seventies have one thing in common. They all own their homes free and clear. They own cars and vacation property free and clear. Those are called assets.

Owning a game boy and a cell phone does not qualify as owning any assets.