WASHINGTON — AARP‘s endorsement helped pass President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Now the powerful seniors’ lobby is telling employees their costs will go up as a result.
In an e-mail to employees obtained by the Associated Press, AARP says employees’ health care premiums will increase by 5 percent — from 8 percent to 13 percent — next year because of rapidly rising medical costs.
“Most plan co-pays and deductibles have been modified,” Jennifer Hodges, AARP’s director of compensation and benefits, wrote employees in the Oct. 25 e-mail. “Plan value changes were necessary not only from a cost management standpoint but also to ensure that AARP’s plans fall below the threshold for high-cost group plans under health care reform.”
AARP says it is also changing co-payments and deductibles to avoid a new goverment-mandated 40 percent tax on high cost “Cadillac” health plans that takes effect in 2018 under the law. Shifting costs to employees lowers the value of a health plan; it’s like an escape hatch from the tax.
AARP officials said medical inflation is the main reason employee costs are rising. Its legislative affairs director, David Certner, says the health care law is “a small part.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, didn‘t hesitate to draw attention to AARP’s increasing premiums and pivotal role in supporting the president’s health care overhaul. “AARP supported a partisan health care overhaul that cut Medicare by almost $500 billion,” Grassley said in a statement. “That will result in less choice, fewer benefits and decreased access to care for millions of its members. But now we hear that AARP’s members aren’t the only ones who will bear the brunt of the new health care law.
“Like companies across the country,” Grassley continued, “AARP is shifting more costs onto employees in reaction to the health care overhaul. Despite their employer’s support, AARP employees are learning that the health care law is not going to address the top priority of making health care coverage less expensive. Supporters of the law tend to have tunnel vision and focus on how it will affect narrow groups of people, rather than recognizing that most people will just end up paying more. But the big picture is clear. Employers and employees nationwide will pay more for health care because of the new law.”
AARP legislative affairs director David Certner told the AP the organization‘s lobbying efforts are not tied to their own employees’ welfare. “The impact on AARP employees is not a factor at all in our policy making, which is directed at the impact on our membership and on all older Americans.”
This means the AARP employees who refused to listen to their members’ concerned last fall are now going to face higher health care costs:
Last year, the AARP reportedly lost 60,000 members who resigned membership in anger over the group’s support of the Democrats’ health care overhaul.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (146)
trukmek
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:06pmFollow the yellow brick, follow the yellow brick road, fallow, follow , follow,fallow,
Report Post »follow the yellow brick road.
Jezreel
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:05pmWhen AARP supported Obamacare, we let them know that we were cancelling our membership and want nothing to do with them anymore and to take our names off their list
Report Post »Rob
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:00pmI sent back two AARP membership requests with “NO, YOU SUPPORT OBAMACARE!!” written on the membership form.
Once again… I was right.
Report Post »jim1flyer
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:56pmThat’s why I joined Generation America instead.
http://generationamerica.org/
Report Post »nomorpc4me
Posted on November 6, 2010 at 12:13amJIM1FLYER:
Thank you so much for the link to Generation America. Seeing Glenn Beck on the homepage was a good sign. I’m signing up as soon as I figure out all they can do for me and mine. Again, thanks for the link.
Report Post »Bermuda Onion
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:54pmI have to double check but they are the people that own Geico and Progressive insurance. Good thing I don’t have either.
Report Post »Bermuda Onion
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:52pmHow sweet it is. I wonder what kind of side dishes these nitwits are eating with their crow? You made your bed, now you gotta lay in it.
Report Post »Iron Horseman
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:46pmHow’s that “hope and change” working for you AARP?
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:40pmNext years’ annual NATIONAL meeting of AARP members will be held at the local Burger King – 3 tables reserved.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:38pmAARP… You have to hold the snake by the head to keep from getting bit…(and Soros has that end already) What? You thought that by Sucking Oblo-me’s a$$ that you would be spared??? Heres hoping that the “Venom” causes you a slow and painful death, you effing fools!
Report Post »janddjohnson
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:07pmUmm…thanks for the visual…I think errrr
Report Post »faktchekr
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:36pmThese leftists have been mailing my husband informational and sign up stuff for the last month since he turns 50 this month…it goes to the trash immediately.
Report Post »ScarletRose
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:35pmSame Double A RP that uses Senior’s donations to boost the Dim Party on unaware Seniors.
Same Double A RP that used Senior’s donations for an AD CAMPAIGN to convince Seniors that ObamaCare would only make things ONLY BETTER for Senior Medical Care.
Now hikes their rates??? BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE? (And Gross Fed Inflation)
I’m so shock-ed! [sez SnagglePus]
HAR HAR HAR – So NOT!
Report Post »Gas137
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:33pmThis is the result of the actions of the administration of AARP not the members. You have to wonder whether people can administer any association effectively in the current US political situation.
Report Post »mrclean
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:11pmAARP officials said medical inflation is the main reason employee costs are rising. Its legislative affairs director, David Certner, says the health care law is “a small part.”
BS………………………….. ’nuff said
Report Post »suzg60
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:26pmHypocrites!!
Report Post »benrush
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:23pmRepeal HIPAA along with the rest of the ill-conceived progress legislation. Time to roll back a century of interference in the free market.
Report Post »HillCountryPatriot
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:18pmAARP, VFW PAC, and the AMERICAN LEGION have been completely taken over by the liberal left. To HELL with them all!
Report Post »cotuit
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:16pmCouldn’t have happened to a better group. They reap what they sow.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:15pmWe canceled our AARP membership when they endorsed the bill. The people responsible for this endorsement are getting their just deserts.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:42pmIt’s time the AARPbegins to really care about the seniors they claim to represent. If any AARP representatives are reading this, I as a senior urge you to get off the communist bandwagon and work to:
1) Work to overturn Obamacare.
2) Work to reestablish the funding cut from medicare.
We seniors are watching!
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:14pmAARP has been a Hoax forever…. Any of the Insurance Policies they offer.They’re just counting on you having Dimentia and Auto-Matic withdrawal for the membership.
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:10pmSo it‘s Not JUST the Kids they’ve robbed of their futures. Saw it comming.and Prepared for it.
Report Post »lbsm
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:08pmever heard of the phrase…shot yourself in the foot?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:06pmand these people were in the snakepit trying to con us Americans for obama. haha, we already canceled with AARP, as soon as it first came out they were totally PRO-obama democrat..
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:03pmmaybe they will now join to kill the bill?……………….lol doubt it ….i keep getting mail from them, and sending it back return to sender . will never give them a dime of my money
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:08pmAARP Sells Out Seniors to Support Obama Health Care
Report Post »http://nlpc.org/stories/2009/07/23/aarp-sells-out-seniors-support-obama-health-care
Midwest Belle
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:01pmMost of this kind of junk is using a “bulk mail permit”. When you return “junk mail”, it gets trashed at the Post Office rather than returned — UNLESS it has first class postage on it. (this according to our local postmaster)
To really get the message across that you don’t want this junk, use one of their [return] envelopes, and send it back with a nasty letter, rather than their form for which the envelope is intended. This generally accomplishes removal from their mailing list.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:34pmGood bye AARP!
Report Post »Awakenow
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:00pmThese people are not a senior advocacy groop they ar an insurance broker and their advise always has a profit motive, thats not wrong but the wolf needs to shed the sheeps clothing. they aren’t your friend and you can do better on the open market.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 7:40pmExactly + they believe in Obama :(
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:55pmThat is exactly right – the only thing they sell is insurance policies – life, health, supplemental – they are just one big insurance broker!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
walkwithme1966
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:55pmThat is exactly right – the only thing they sell is insurance policies – life, health, supplemental – they are just one big insurance broker!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
walkwithme1966
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:56pmThat is exactly right – the only thing they sell is insurance policies – life, health, supplemental – they are just one big insurance broker!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
walkwithme1966
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:56pmThat is exactly right – the only thing they sell is insurance policies – life, health, supplemental – they are just one big insurance broker!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
RobertCA
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:38pm@ 1966
Report Post »We get it from 1 post …….unless you’re talking to a liberal .
RAISINGCONSERVATIVES
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:00pmThey knew that this could happen and they lied or misled their employees and customers. If it is happening to their employees what do you think is going to happen to all of those seniors that trusted them? I just saw on Fox the seniors burning their AARP cards. Hopefully they will be able to repeal the HC bill or at least be able to block all of the funding.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:19pmreap what you sow………..
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 7, 2010 at 6:17amYou are so right. AARP used the seniors just like progressives use minorities. I was really shocked when the members did not stop AARP. Older folks are usually better informed.
Report Post »Darth_Soros
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 4:57pmLook at the bright side, AARP. Think about how low your costs will be once your out of business.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:07pmSPECIAL REPORT: How the Federal Government Subsidizes AARP click below
Report Post »http://www.nlpc.org/stories/2009/05/15/special-report-how-federal-government-subsidizes-aarp
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:08pmGood point, hope they go out of business real soon.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:25pmAmen!!!!! They send us propaganda, we write ugly notes on outside of envelope and return. Don’t hear from them much anymore. Too bad.
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:30pmSo AARP employees again get to see the reality of being stabbed in the back by the Progressives who honestly do not care one whit about them.
@Maulemaul
Report Post »Thanks for the link to the info. Am passing it on.
HKS
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 5:36pmWho need this outfit anyway, If they support commies they do more harm than good. I seen nothing there, shut them down.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:04pm“…employees’ health care premiums will increase by 5 percent — from 8 percent to 13 percent…”
A nudge toward single-payer. Who would have seen it coming.
Report Post »REPEAL/OBSTRUCT OBAMACARE!
beekeeper
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:04pmSo year one of HCR is almost in the can, and the net impact to most Americans is increased cost. Any chance year two will see some benefit to the average American? Surely there will be some tangible benefit for most Americans in the third year, since that is the next major election (POTUS, 100% of House, 1/3rd of Senate)…
Report Post »halfbrain
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:04pmGeneration America sounds really good now.
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:05pmWe told ya’ll this was gonna happen.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:17pmIf AARP was not in favor of the Health care bill it wouldn’t have passed. Now they are complaining. AARP is worthless to anyone even the libs.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:29pmsnowleopard3200 {mix art}, Step away from the computer. Seriously, there is a whole, wonderful non-cyber world out there and you are missing it.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:34pmGOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE, I started that back in Germany for the Jews in 1941
Report Post »http://www.calgarysun.com/news/columnists/michael_platt/2010/05/20/14021331.html
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/politics/state_politics/government-taking-newborn-dna-samples-
CultureWarriors
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:39pmTheir support of Obama Care is why I will never be an AARP member! Karma is a b!tch.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 6:46pmLOL >> I told them this when I cancelled my membership and asked for a refund (pre Obamacare passing).. the employee told me I was wrong >>>> enjoy your INCREASES!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 7:10pmThis is for all those who refused to listen before the bill passed,
WE TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 7:35pmGood for you, Cat. I wish you still had that rep’s number so we could ask him/her how much of thier script they’ve had to white out.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:32pmIt’s about time this has hit the news cycle.. It’s a common fact that AARP is not just subsidizes AARP they are partners with them in as much as they both set prices with big pharm.. I am SOOO glad they have had their true colors come threw.. Every month we get propaganda from them and every month I take it out and put it back in their return env. so they have to pay the extra postage add a nasty note and mail.. I would guess they could save MILLIONS if they quit sending the mailers but than the taxpayers are most likely paying the postage.. I have even called and told them to take us off their mailing list.. it must be run by the same government agency who runs the do not call list cause it works the same.. IT DOESN’T..
Report Post »Freedomisslavery
Posted on November 6, 2010 at 3:40pmRepeal,Repeal,Repeal!!!
Report Post »OldFlyGuy
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 12:33pmThe first time my wife and I saw AARP’s ad supporting the HealthCare law I called that evening and cancelled our membership and told them why in terms that they could not misunderstand. IMO AARP is an insurance company cloaking itself as a senior’s organization.
Report Post »