AARP tells Obama: No health plan endorsement yet

[toomuchtime_]

A group usually seen as one of Barack Obama's allies in the health care debate — AARP — says the president went too far Tuesday when he said the seniors lobby had endorsed the legislation pending in Congress.

AARP is sensitive to the issue because polls show that Medicare beneficiaries are worried their health care program will be cut to subsidize coverage for the uninsured.

At the town hall in Portsmouth, N.H., Obama said, "We have the AARP onboard because they know this is a good deal for our seniors." He added, "AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare."

But Tom Nelson, AARP's chief operating officer, said, "Indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."

Like Obama, AARP wants action this year to cover the uninsured and restrain health care costs, but the organization has refrained from endorsing legislation. Nelson said AARP would not endorse a bill that reduces Medicare benefits.

A spokesman said the Medicare cuts that have been proposed so far would not affect benefits.

The Associated Press: AARP tells Obama: No health plan endorsement yet

 

[Lonestar_logic]

The guy said the same thing on the O'Reilly factor too. Just another example of Obama lying to the public.

 

[Big Black Dog]

I called AARP to ask them about their opinion on the HR 3200 bill. The talking head that answered the phone said the AARP supported various elements of the bill, especially the public option portion of the bill but had not yet officially endorsed the HR 3200 bill itself. They also confirmed for me the fact that the AARP had donated $9,000 to Obama's election campaign. I had heard this on Bill O'Reilly's show on Fox night before last. The AARP said that it was true. I did not feel the $9,000 donation to Obama's campaign fund was the way I wanted the AARP to be spending the money I send in for dues so I cancelled my membership. If you wish to ask the AARP any questions concerning their position on HR 3200 they will be happy to talk with you. You can get their number off the internet under the contact us link. I am no longer an AARP member.