Thread: What AARP is sending out!

I just got this email from AARP. They are really rattled about all the negative messages going around about Obama's health care plan and intend to fight back!!

If your inbox is anything like mine, you're getting a lot of emails about how SCARY health reform is. From allegations about rationing care to wild reports of government-sponsored euthanasia, the rumors just keep getting crazier.

And I've had enough. Enough of the fear-mongering. Enough of the myths and unfounded rumors. Enough of the interest groups twisting the truth to stop health reform.

I'm fighting back – and I'm asking for your help!

Below I've debunked some of the common myths going around. Will you forward this email to your friends and help get the truth out about reform?

The truth is real reform is at risk because opponents are using scare tactics and slogans to gin up fear and misunderstandings. Don't let that happen.

Sincerely,

Barry Jackson
AARP Online Advocacy Manager

P.S. Let's make sure everyone gets the truth. After you've forwarded the message below, please share these myths and facts on Facebook if you have an account, or post them on other networking sites. If you're active on Twitter, please tweet the truth now.



******Delete the text above and forward this message to friends and family ******

Hi,

My inbox has been flooded with emails spreading crazy rumors about health reform so I wanted to share some facts from AARP about what's really going on. Please join me in forwarding these facts to everyone you know. Print them out and pass them around at your social gatherings and other places where people are discussing the issues of the day.

FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.

Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP's position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we're standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.1

FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.

Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.2

FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.

The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.3

FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama's plan.

In fact, we haven't endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We're working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans – and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.4

So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?

Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.
Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.

How can this man say that health care would not be rationed? There is a committee that will be formed, similar to the one in Europe that would decide these things. The elderly will be forced to be evaluated and their health care determined by people who only care about the bottom line. Mr. Obama himself said that taking a painkiller may be a better alternative to life saving or life lengthening procedures such as pacemakers if the person is elderly.

David Limbaugh and others are giving the page numbers and sections of these bills that verify that seniors will be up for rationing etc. This should be sent back to AARP with a comment that we read the bills, unlike lawmakers and apparently AARP themselves.

Americans, especially seniors, are getting wise to the goings on in Washington and at AARP.

By Mail

AARP
601 E Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20049

By Phone

Contact Center Hours
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET
Monday through Friday

Toll-Free Nationwide: 1-88UR-AARP
(1-888-687-2277)


Toll-Free Spanish: 1-877-MAS-DE50
(1-877-627-3350)

International Calls: 1-202-434-3525

http://www.aarp.org/aarp/About_AARP/contact_aarp/

HERE ARE COMMENTS FROM THEIR BLOG:

LarryBrad says:

Healthcare is important to your membership. Having been an AARP member for 12 years, I have found some of the benefits useful -- like travel tips and discounts. But now after carefully looking at some of healthcare propoganda, I am very confused as to why AARP would stand side-by-side with politicians trying desparately to push the country towards socialism. I thought you represented your membership. Your policy supports the same government who runs social security, medicare, Tricare, and the US Post Office? The people who are supposed to protect us from the Bernie Madoffs, bad mortgage bankers, and tainted products? We may need some fairness in the medical system but not with the government running all of it; And not with a plan that WILL, repeat WILL result in shortages, coverage denial or delays, and cost overruns. These plans WILL unfairly rob our children and grandchildren of the same freedom and prosperity that we enjoyed since post-WWI. When did AARP become the political arm of socialist politicians and abandon retired people who pay your bills? I guess I was paying too much attention to getting AARP hotel discounts instead of what you were doing behind closed doors. AARP should not be a propaganda wing of any political party, Republican or Democrats; you should be representing your membership and right now you are not representing me or anybody else I know from the over 50 group. Does this mean that our continued membership in AARP will give you the means to push socialist agendas?
Final question: Will AARP be reporting me to Linda Douglass, White House Communications Director, for engaging in fishy information dissemination?
Posted: August 5, 2009 4:19PM EDT

JanColo says:

When Obama was campaigning for President I felt he was very unrealistic in his views and ideas. Now AARP has fallen into step with him. They are taking everything in the health care bill as face value without using common sense. They need to be more realistic on what will happen to seniors if this bill passes. I am very disappointed in AARP that they are not protecting the very people they are suppose to be looking out for. It certainly is a time of people looking out for their own interests, which is evident in Congress and AARP. Shame on you, AARP, for selling out seniors for your own interests!!!
Posted: August 5, 2009 5:44PM EDT

Takoda says:

My husband and I joined AARP when we received our first invitation from them in the mail. But, I agree with GloJ; there was much that didn't match with who we are. Now, for AARP to push this socialized medicine plan the way it is, I can no longer be a part of this organization. Aren't you supposed to be looking out for our good? Your motto - "Divided we fall." Truth is, if we unite with AARP on the health care issue, we are doing it to our own demise. This plan is not for the good of anyone, but particularly not for the good of seniors. Do you know that yesterday our representatives in Washington D.C. voted AGAINST having the plan for themselves and their families? There is a good reason for that! I'm cancelling my AARP membership and requesting a refund so they don't use my money to push this plan!
Posted: August 5, 2009 3:04PM EDT

http://www.aarp.org/community/AARPCT/jo ... lt/1860952

Ephesians 4:32

AARP needs to be taught a lesson, Seniors must drop their AARP membership(s). AARP certainly doesn't represent American seniors. How can they be such traitors?

They also endorsed Obama and I know many people that cancelled their memberships because of their endorsement.

It may be true that some are dropping their membership--but it is still important for us to know what they are saying. SOME of the AARP folks will be swayed by stuff like this.

I never joind this organizaiton because they don't share my views.