Should AARP Have Endorsed the Medicare Drug Bill?
By
Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
Nov. 18, 2003 - The Medicare drug bill, described as
the compromise agreement, looks like it is better than nothing, but
the endorsement of the plan by the AARP is making me take a second look.
The AARP is proud to proclaim they have 35 million
members, but they seldom brag about being among the largest insurance
companies and drug marketing companies in the world. For only $12.50 a
year, a person 50 years old or older can become a member and be allowed
to purchase a wide range of products and insurance services from their
wholly owned subsidiary, AARP Services, Inc.
This is not to insinuate AARP is an evil or even bad
organization. The members of their board of directors are unpaid
volunteers and the organization has performed reasonably well as
advocates on many issues important to senior citizens.
Starting their membership at age 50, however, makes
one wonder if they are not more interested in a large consumer
membership than in the issues facing those who more closely fit the
profile of senior citizen or retired person. The American Heritage
Dictionary says a senior citizen is, A person of relatively advanced
age, especially a person at or over the age of retirement. For as long
as I can remember, retirement age was considered to be 65. Today, it
seems to be moving up, while AARP has shifted their focus more to
younger Americans. They claim that approximately one-third of their
members are under age 60.
We have to at least question the endorsement of the
Medicare drug bill, when it comes from a large private insurer and drug
marketer, since a significant provision in the bill will encourage
private insurance and provide a $12 billion subsidy to these private
companies. Maybe AARP should have stepped aside on this one, and
admitted they have a conflict of interest.
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