AARP Finds Member Support for Health Care Reform
Provisions, Older Members Hardest to Sell
‘Strong majorities reported that many of the bill’s
key provisions were convincing reasons to support the legislation;’ AARP
launching TV ads today
Nov. 17, 2009 – A new poll of AARP members released
yesterday found “strong support across party and ideological lines for
elements of health care reform” in the current bill in the House of
Representatives. But, it also shows, as have other polls, that senior
citizens are a tougher sell on health care reform than are younger
Americans.
The AARP noted in the news release in has endorsed
the bill (Affordable Health Care for America Act), “which strictly
limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and
closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole.”
AARP membership is open to people age 50 or older.
When measuring the response from all age groups, the survey found
general support for health care reform being pushed by President Obama
and Congress. The results are as follows (see graphic on top right):
● 39% Strongly support
● 22% Strongly oppose
● 24% Somewhat support
● 8% Somewhat oppose
Has 'public option' preferred by moderates, raises
Medicaid eligibility levels to 150% of the federal poverty level,
guarantees that 96% of Americans have coverage
But when this response was broken down between the
older members –age 65 and older – and the younger ones – age 50 through
64 – it is evident that the young members are driving the support. (See
graphic above story.)
The news release said, “Among AARP members, strong
majorities reported that many of the bill’s key provisions were
convincing reasons to support the legislation. These include strictly
limiting insurers from charging much higher premiums because of age
(68%), closing the gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage known as
the doughnut hole (69%) and improving coverage for critical preventive
services like cancer screenings (77%).”
“This survey demonstrates what we’ve been hearing
from our members for a long time,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive
Vice President. “Despite an inflammatory debate on a very personal and
important issue, our members—across party and ideological lines—support
health care reform that protects Medicare, lowers the price of
prescription drugs, increases their access to coverage and protects
their choice of doctors.”
While a partisan divide was evident when
respondents were asked about the current plan in Congress, AARP members
supported the legislation by more than a 2-1 (63%-30%) margin. More than
half of self-described independents indicated support for the plan.
Other reform elements with high levels of support
among AARP members included -
● ensuring Americans can see the doctor of their choice (76%),
● stopping insurance companies from denying coverage because of a
person’s health history (75%) and
● ensuring Americans can keep their current coverage (78%).
Majorities of self-identified Republicans supported
most of the reform elements presented, including stopping discrimination
because of pre-existing conditions (66%), covering routine preventive
care (64%) and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices (64%).
LeaMond added: “The bill recently passed by the
House incorporates the reforms that our members care most about. We’ll
continue the fight for these critical elements as the Senate takes up
its own legislation in the coming weeks. Our members, and all older
Americans, are counting on lawmakers to reform the health care system
this year.”
The telephone survey, fielded October 30 to
November 8, 2009, was conducted with randomly selected members of AARP.
The nationally representative sample of 803 AARP members has a margin
of error of +/- 3.5%. The state and regional samples, which range from
401 to 453, are representative of AARP members in that state or region.
AARP Launches Television Ads Today
Starting today, Tuesday, November 17, AARP will
launch a new national television ad on a mix of news, lifestyle, cable
and sports channels. The ad, entitled “HELP,” demonstrates that people
from all walks of life are feeling stranded by the current health care
system. It calls attention to the need for the kind of health care
reform AARP has been fighting for: reform that will put patients first,
protect Medicare, bring down drug costs and ensure that no one can be
denied affordable health care because of their age or health history.
AARP surveyed its members on key health care reform
provisions supported by AARP, as well as other contentious issues being
discussed in the debate. The telephone survey, fielded October 30 to
November 8, 2009, was conducted with randomly selected members of AARP.
The nationally representative sample of 803 AARP members has a margin of
error of +/- 3.5%.
>> Links to the available state surveys are
available –
click here
AARP describes itself as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan
membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice
and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and
society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office
or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We
produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and
the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers;
AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million
members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual
U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community;
and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that
provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need
with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have
staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Nov. 17, 2009 – A new poll of AARP members released
yesterday found “strong support across party and ideological lines for
elements of health care reform” in the current bill in the House of
Representatives. But, it also shows, as have other polls, that senior
citizens are a tougher sell on health care reform than are younger
Americans.