Letter from Bill Novelli explaining AARP/Medicare position

[barbaraann]

Yesterday I received a form letter from Bill Novelli, the Executive Director of AARP, explaining why AARP support the Medicare prescription drug bill just passed. (I have been waiting to cancel my membership until after they waste a little bit more money on mailings to me.)

Here are some excerpts:

Dear Valued AARP Member,
...
Without the steadfast support of members like you, we could not have secured this historic change to Medicare. And now, as we shift our fight from establishing a Medicare prescription drug benefit, to improving the benefit that we have won, I am counting on our members more than ever before.
...
With our members' needs and wishes in mind, our volunteer board of directors thoroughly reviewed the Medicare legislation, and decided that the most limportant thing was to get SOMETHING passed this year that would establish Medicare prescription drug benefit into. Going back to the drawing board would not serve the millions of our members who need help now.
...
THE BENEFIT IS VOLUNTARY. You do not have to enroll.
...
(explanation of benefits here)
...
Like many of our members, we were concerned that this new benefit might accelerate the trend of former employers dropping retiree health coverage. That is why we fought hard to ensure that the new law devotes $88 billion in financial incentives for those employers to continue to provide their coverage.

We also fought so that drug coverage will be available in all regions of the country. If private firms choose not to offer a drug benefit in a particular area, the federal government will step in and arrange for a way to serve their area.

AARP WOULD NEVER SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD THREATEN TRADITIONAL MEDICARE. This legislation maintains the integrity of the traditional Medicare program. While it does offer beneficiaries new managed care choices, beneficiaries are free to stay in traditional, fee-for-service Medicare if they choose.
...
But the legislation is not perfect.
...
FROM THE BEGINNING, AARP HAS SPOKEN OUT AGAINST GAPS IN COVERAGE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

It does not do enough to address the soaring prices of prescription drugs. AARP will also demand that Congress make legal the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. As you can see, THIS IS THE AREA WHERE AARP MUST NOW FOCUS OUR FIGHT FOR IMPORVEMENTS.

WE WILL BE A WATCHDOG TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE NEW PROVISIONS TRULY DO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AND THE QUALITY OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
...
Sincerely,
Bill Novelli
AARP Executive Director

P.S. You deserve a prescription drug benefit under Medicare that meets all of your needs--and right now so far, we know that the fight is not over. Rest assured that in the coming weeks and months, we will carry on this fight with the full force of AARP's 35 million members.

Thank you for standing with us.
***

Oh, let's see. I see promises that will not be kept, distortions, trickery, half-truths, outright lies, and a hint of fear that AARP members will continue to wake up and see that they are being sold out.

WORST OF ALL, I DO NOT SEE ANY CONCERN FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE NO HEALTH CARE WHATSOEVER, MUCH LESS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE. THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF THE TINY LITTLE PROBLEM OF HOW THIS COUNTRY WILL PAY FOR MEDICARE FOR THE BABY BOOMERS.

[aquart]

1. Watchdog?

Wouldn't trust him to watch a stuffed dog.

What a lying Republican. But I repeat myself.

[Myra]

2. How could Novelli possibly explain his AARP Medicare *position*

Without using sexually explicit language?

[barbaraann]

3. Oops! Wrong forum.

I will move it.