Should AARP Have Endorsed Medicare Drug Bill?

As one of the world's largest insurance and drug providers, AARP should possibly have not endorsed the Medicare drug bill, which promotes private insurance.

(PRWEB) November 18 2003--By Tucker Sutherland, editor, www.SeniorJournal.com

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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