AMA, AARP Urge Passage; Chamber Says Vote No

[TomCADem]

Source: Roll Call

Trying to build momentum for health care reform legislation, the American Medical Association and the large senior citizens group AARP on Friday threw their support behind the controversial package that is expected to be considered by the House this weekend.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has been running millions of dollars’ worth of ads opposing the measure, issued a key-vote alert to all House lawmakers indicating the business group’s strong opposition to the legislation.

* * *

AARP Board Chairwoman Bonnie Cramer said in a statement that the legislation “brings us so much closer to helping millions of older Americans get quality, affordable health care.”

Key to the AARP support was the inclusion of a provision that would close gaps in prescription drug subsidies for Medicare enrollees, known as the doughnut hole.


Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/44410-1.html

[Schema Thing]

1. So who are the big contributers to the Chamber so we can boycott them?

[WCGreen]

3. That Monopoly Guy with the Monocle,

Dr. Doom, Lex Luthur, Scrooge McDuck, the Tobacco Companies, Blackwater...

[otohara]

2. The US Chamber of Corporations

seriously, they need to change their name

[RKP5637]

12. US Chamber of Corporations of USA, Inc., Working to destroy the citizens to

benefit corporate interests! Fascist America!

[pampango]

4. Does the Chamber really mean it? Or are they using "reverse psychology" (3D chess) on us?

:)

[Mithreal]

19. The Chamber puts their money behinding defeating Dems. This must have been a difficult decision.

And oh boy, don't I consider the AARP and AMA outstanding.

So easy to manipulate you folks.

[kestrel91316]

5. the Chamber of Commerce has always hated persons and loved profits.

I belonged to our local Chamber years ago. Buncha Repukes, and not a damned one owned any cats. I found that rather telling.

[bluestateguy]

6. The AARP endorsement of the Medicare drug bill in 2003 put it over the top at the last minute

nt

[SandWalker1984]

11. AARP - insurance sales R us

Published on Monday, November 24, 2003 by the Los Angeles Times

This Isn't the Old AARP
Leaders Betray Their Members by Lobbying for Medicare Drug Bill
by Dale Van Atta

Here's the deal: If you're over 50, for just $12.50 a year, AARP will give you a magazine and newsletter subscription, as well as allow you to "receive discounts on car rentals, lodging, cruises" and a host of other wonderful things. And at the same time, it will argue for your most vital political interests in Washington. You're a Republican? Democrat? Anarchist? It doesn't matter; it knows what you want. At AARP, one lobby fits all.

- snip -

Even after thousands of members last week phoned, wrote letters and sent angry e-mails about AARP's supporting the Medicare bill to the group's swank $130-million, 10-story headquarters in Washington, Novelli was unrepentant about his claims to speak for them. Appearing on a CNBC "Capital Report" television show Tuesday evening, he acknowledged the first signs of membership rebellion, then added: "I really feel unfazed by it. I think we're doing the right thing."

- snip -

Why would AARP, traditionally aligned with the Democrats, jump ship on this bill? AARP probably supported the measure because Rother � still in charge of AARP's legislative brain trust � couldn't pass up the $400 billion on the table for seniors. (Some critics say AARP has a conflict of interest in that it receives millions for insurance sold under its name and arguably could profit under a new Medicare drug bill.)

- snip -

Regardless of where you stand on this proposed act, AARP has no business doing unauthorized lobbying for its membership. Its chimerical lobby wholeheartedly represents only what a few paid staff leaders decide is best for all older Americans.

************************

AARP's endorsement of the Senate bill should come as no surprise to anyone that remembers the fight over the Republican drug prescription bill.

When the dog and pony show is over and the Senate's health care industry profit protection bill passes, we will have universal corporate enslavement while Canada has universal health CARE for 1/3 of the cost.



"No matter who you vote for, the government always wins."

[SandWalker1984]

22. PS: AARP is run by UnitedHealth Group, partners with Aetna

from Wiki:

Approximately seven million people have AARP branded health insurance, including drug coverage and medigap, as of April 2007 <17> and AARP earns more income from selling insurance to members than it does from membership dues.<18>

In 2008, AARP plans to begin offering several new health insurance products: An HMO for Medicare recipients, in partnership with UnitedHealth Group; and a PPO and "a high-deductible insurance policy that could be used with a health savings account" to people aged 50–64, in partnership with Aetna. AARP will likely become the largest source of health insurance for Medicare recipients, and AARP estimates the new products will increase its health insurance customers to 14 million by 2014.<17><19>

AARP is not an insurer and does not pay insurance claims. Instead, AARP allows its name to be used by insurance companies in the sale of insurance products, for which it is paid a commission like an insurance agent.<20>

Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said in 2008 that the "limited benefit" insurance plans offered by AARP through UnitedHealth provided inadequate coverage and were marketed deceptively. One plan offered $5,000 for surgery that may cost two or three times that amount.<21>

AARP does a "thriving business" in marketing branded Medigap policies. As of October 2009, Medical care reform contained a proposal to trim an associated program Medicare Advantage, which was expected to increase demand for Medigap policies.<22>

****************************


SO WHY DO YOU THINK AARP IS FOR THE SENATE HCR BILL? COULD IT BE PROFIT MOTIVES????

[Faygo Kid]

20. Yeah, and they were also the stalwart stopping Bush's privatization of Social Security.

They have been on our side since then, and this is just tiresome. Why don't you educate yourself?

[SandWalker1984]

21. Insults do not change the facts

I have followed AARP throughout the Medicare Part D and privatization of Social Security debates.

During the drug bill time period, AARP went so far as to manipulate polls in it's attempt to get members behind the bill.

AARP Rigs Its Own Poll

By Katherine Yurica




A tempestuous uproar greeted America’s leading retiree organization over AARP’s endorsement of the controversial GOP Medicare proposal and AARP’s promise to spend $7 million and more if needed to help get the bill passed. With its email system clogged with protests and resignation notices, AARP hurriedly asked its pollsters, Knowledge Networks, to conduct a survey in an obvious attempt to justify its actions. AARP posted the results on its web site.


The survey was conducted in a two-day poll (November 19-20). In its article titled “Survey Finds AARP Members in Support of Medicare Legislation.” AARP said:

“A resounding 75% of AARP members polled in a survey…said that the proposed Medicare legislation should be passed because it will help low-income elderly and those with high prescription drug costs.”

In contrast, according to Peter Schurman of MoveOn.org, a reliable survey reports the majority of AARP members oppose the Medicare bill.

Now follow what happened closely because it is a fabulous record of how to get the answer you want in a “scientific poll.”

A look at the AARP survey itself (available in a PDF file) reveals that AARP misrepresented the results in its article. Of the 494 members surveyed in what was touted as a “nationally representative sample, with a margin of error plus or minus 4.4 percentage points,” it becomes clear, contrary to AARP’s claims, that those members surveyed did not conclude and could not have concluded that the new Medicare package would in any way help low-income elderly and those with high prescription drug costs.

- snip -

The survey simply shows that AARP and its pollster worded the question in such a way that it creates the illusion of support. It brings to mind Karl Rove and his Rovian methodology.



You can read the entire story at: http://www.yuricareport.com/Miscellaneous/AARP_Rig%20Its_Own%20Poll.htm



After the big membership fallout over the Medicare bill, with polls running heavily against Bush's privatization of Social Security, even AARP's CEO was astute enough to go with the public opinion on that fight. I wouldn't call their actions noble.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Who the hell is paying the Chamber to run those ads?

Health insurance companies?

[backscatter712]

8. When you read "Chamber of Commerce", think AHIP.

Remember, the health insurers are paying the Chamber of Commerce to do their anti-health-reform shilling for them - they didn't want their own name on this.

[4lbs]

9. Of course the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would want NO. All the big insurance companies are members

of the USCoC.

[Zoeisright]

10. US Chamber of Fascists is a bunch of pigs.

All they care about is money and rich white men. Fucking assholes.

[RKP5637]

13. +1000, n/t

[Kingofalldems]

14. Chamber says vote yes on a return to feudalism

[SoapBox]

15. U.S. Chamber...evil

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a mouth piece for industry and big bubba.

They used to be more behind the scenes but since the election of Prez O,
they have imploded just like all the other haters and racists.

And, they have been particularly emboldened since the SupremeCourtTerroristFive
made their ruling.

ANY time you see U.S. Chamber...think FakeNews, Limpdong, Blech, HateRadio...

[SoapBox]

16. Here is their website...

Here is the U.S. Chamber of Hate, website:

http://www.uschamber.com/default

I will ALSO add, that a friend tried to email them this week to complain
of their stands, but found that you need to either be a member or
need to set up an account with them.

SO...he called...and asked for a FAX number.

He then got the run around as the female "gatekeeper" grilled him
on why he would need to FAX them anything...she finally relented
and he faxed a letter telling them off.

Funny how the haters are NOT interested in your opinions.

[janet118]

17. From Tombstone Blues

The ghost of Belle Star she hands down her wits
To Jezebel the nun she violently knits
A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits
At the head of the chamber of commerce.

- Dylan

[mac56]

18. If the Chamber of Commerce is against it

I'm for it.