My intial research doesn’t have much to do with Idaho directly, but shows how AARP operates in the best interest of themselves and not the members. They stand to gain from recent health care overhaul(Obamacare) and the older prescription drug legislation. Which means they could of lost with the talk of Idaho nullification of it.

The funny thing is that AARP is a non-profit that lobbies extensively on the federal level with for-profit companies operating under that non-profit umbrella. Looks like the House Ways and Means committee is investigating the AARP. http://www.waysandmeans.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=230728

Here is the Republican report on the shady activities of the AARP :
http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/2011/03/31/veil-aarp-america-doesn%E2%80%99t/
They don’t actually sell insurance but just lend their name (for profit) to insurance companies to use. AARP collects royalties and fees which further increase the prices. These royalties amount to 46% of their revenue.

A synopsis of what they stand to gain from Obamacare:
“Based on low, mid, and high-range estimates, AARP stands to financially gain, over and above the millions of dollars they currently receive from United Health Group, between $55 million and $166 million in 2014 alone as a result of new Medigap enrollees stemming from the health care law’s cuts to MA, which AARP strongly endorsed. Under the midrange estimate and under their current contract, AARP’s financial gain from the health care law could exceed $1 billion during the next 10 years. Again, this is because AARP will see their royalty payments increase as seniors are forced out of MA plans and buy AARP Medigap plans instead. ”

I assume AARP collects royalties for discount drug programs from Walgreens and others which also would increase cost. http://www.aarppharmacy.com (redirects to Walgreens).

2009
This link talks about how AARP endorsed plans are higher on the average. http://moneywatch.bnet.com/retirement-planning/article/health-insurance-is-aarp-looking-out-for-you/351164/

I’d have found their report more interesting if they had actually identified the 7 who received 100% of their support from corporations, etc., as well as others that ran a high percentage. This seems like crying wolf, but not identifying where it’s hiding.

(love the geezer shot)

AARP is a lobby for the elderly. They have given what used to be called the GRAY PANTHERS a voice in government at the state and national level.

I am a member and mostly agree with their efforts for the elderly in this country. The Repubs want to dismantle S.S. and Medicare and they can’t give enough tax breaks and freebies out while the borrow the money to fund all this largess and tax breaks for the rich. The Dems want to waste and spend money and raise taxes on the rich (or what they think are rich $250k/yr incomes).

I made it to 62 without going out on disablity, (barely). Since retirement I have been unraveling like a cheap sweater with various issues related to doing heavy manual labor during my working years. I am so thankful to have Social Security at this stage of my life. Medicare is another benefit I will need and use when I hit 65.

What needs to be done is a board that puts a stop loss order on docs and surgeries that have questionable value to the elderly. Case in point: My late Father was scheduled by his doctor to have double knee replacement surgery at the age of 91, he died at age 92. We talked him out of having the surgery and encouraged him to deal with the knee pain via medications. He lived in a senior citizen community where most of the residents and doctors had the opinion death was optional in California.

Great Britain has a program whereby they will not grant a organ transplant for an older person with limited life span but will allow it for a young person who has the prospects of living a number of decades longer with the organ transplant. We have got to put some limits on Medicare such as this one done in Great Britain.

AARP has long been an active lobby effort for liberal agendas. Not that it is a bad thing. The problem is not whom they choose to support, but rather the level of influence they hold with politicians. Let’s face it, money talks and they spend a boatload of it. I doubt that 50% of their membership realizes how active they are politically, but rather what a good “deal” they get on hotel rooms!

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-05-13/medicare-social-security-funds-expiring-sooner-u-s-says.html

My motive to work hard and pay your bills is slipping