Senator McCain gives AARP due recognition

Senator John McCain was obviously outraged that AARP had endorsed the Democrats health care reform bill. He appeared angry and seriously concerned over the Medicare cuts to Medicare Advantage, nursing homes and hospice,  that threatens the people of his state. McCain also mention that AARP will get $60 million "something" dollars out of this deal, but did not elaborate further.

Now is the time for more Republican Senators to start speaking up about the role AARP has played in supporting the Democrats effort to get this bill passed, despite the fact that it is against the best interest of senior citizens. AARP is estimated to represent 40 million senior citizens, with  2 of out 3 seniors opposed to this health care bill, it is nothing less than misleading, if not blatant misrepresentation. Perhaps it's time for a  Senate investigation into AARP's potential conflict of interest or the ethics of their lobbying efforts.

Health Action Now! is an AARP project launched  earlier this year. What is notable on this site is a lack of choice; your only option is to sign a petition demanding health action now.

There is another feature on this site that is consistent with most liberal sites supporting Health Care Reform, including the site of Senator Patty Murray's D-WA.  Neither site offers a poll or a section for you to submit your concerns, however they both have a special area for you to "add your case against the current system". Did anybody receive a poll in the mail from your Congressman or Senator asking your opinion?  

AARP requests explains:

We want to make meaningful health reform a reality this year. But we need your powerful stories to help us support our call for better health care.

Have you had to go without expensive health insurance to pay for other necessities? Have medical bills left you bankrupt? Has our health care system made you even sicker? Tell us about your experience with the broken health care system.

Senator Patty Murray  asks: 

"We want to make meaningful health reform a reality this year. But we need your powerful stories to help us support our call for better health care.

Have you had to go without expensive health insurance to pay for other necessities? Have medical bills left you bankrupt? Has our health care system made you even sicker? Tell us about your experience with the broken health care system.

Over the coming weeks, as I participate in committee meetings, consider amendments, and continue to fine tune our health care plan, my staff and I will be reviewing your thoughts and experiences.  And with your permission, I will be asking some of you to allow me to use your stories in speeches and Senate debates to illustrate the public need and support for health care reform this year.

On Sept 26, 2009 an email went out to all subscribers of Organizing for America, the group supported by the DNC. The first sentence tells it all: "In many ways, the fight for health insurance reform comes down to a battle over information".

From the lips of the democrats ... it's all about information and who controls what information we receive. This appears to be an strategy used by Senator Patty Murray, AARP, Organizing for America and the Obama Administration. They all appear to be quite successful in stopping the freedom of speech by those that disagree with their agenda of pushing health care reform down our throats!  They simply do not offer you the opportunity to express disagreement on their web sites.

According to the Wall Street Journal article, Sept 24 - Medicare and GAG Orders, sub text "Humana gets whacked for telling the truth, AARP get a pass for spreading falshoods.

Mr. Baucus ordered Medicare regulators to investigate and likely punish Humana Inc. for trying to educate enrollees in its Advantage plans about precisely this fact. Jonathan Blum, acting director of a regulatory office in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said that a mailer Humana sent its customers was "misleading and confusing to beneficiaries, who may believe that it represents official communication about the Medicare Advantage program."

Mr. Blum has also banned all Advantage contractors from telling their customers what Mr. Elmendorf has just told Congress. Mr. Blum happens to be a former senior aide to Mr. Baucus and a health adviser on the Obama transition team.

Then we have the other Democrats that want to cut off freedom of speech and information such as Baucus accomplished when he was upset because Humana told the truth! Here in part is what Humana sent in their letter to seniors:

If the proposed funding cut levels [in the current health care legislation] become law, millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable.”

In an article from the wall Street Journal, Sept 24 - Medicare and GAG Orders, :

So why hasn't AARP also come under CMS scrutiny? Could that be because AARP, which markets its own branded Advantage plans with United HealthCare that have 1.7 million enrollees, is a reliable liberal ally? Certainly its claims are "misleading and confusing"—given that in this instance it is empirically untrue, unlike Humana's attempt at edification. Seniors might even think AARP's falsehoods represent official communication about the Medicare Advantage program. But don't expect Mr. Baucus or CMS to impose its gag rule on the AARP's pro-ObamaCare advocacy.

In an Editorial by Investors Business Daily - they noted "Isn't it interesting the Presentations being made, and who will benefit from it. hmmmmm! The Article, Insurer Gagged, AARP Rewarded was posted on 9/24/2009

As we have pointed out, the organization that purports to lead "positive social change and deliver value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service" has been a veritable cheerleader for health care reform, holding town hall meetings and mailing its members information in support.

Obama and Pelosi guaranteed to  provide us with the  most transparent administration in history. However, Conservatives  can see right through it. There has been nothing in the past 10 months to even hint at possible transparency.   It would appear that the "good old boy" network is still alive and well in D.C. despite the campaign promises of Obama!

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