AARP endorses House healthcare reform bill

[babylonsister]

AARP endorses House healthcare reform bill
By Jeffrey Young - 11/05/09 11:55 AM ET


Democrats scored a huge coup Thursday when the AARP announced its endorsement of the House healthcare bill.

The public support from the seniors’ lobby comes just two days before House members are set to vote on the landmark legislation.

"We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors,” AARP CEO Barry Rand said in a statement. "We've read the Affordable Health Care for America Act and we can say with confidence that it meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage.”

While the endorsement hardly guarantees success for the Democrats, the group has a fearsome track record of getting its way in major political debates. The AARP played a decisive role in derailing President George W. Bush's effort to add private investment accounts to Social Security in 2005. Two years prior, the AARP enraged Democrats by endorsing and helping to enact Bush's plan to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.

Polls have shown senior citizens to be the hardest segment of society to win over on healthcare reform. An intensified effort by the AARP could provide a significant boost to the effort.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/66533-aarp-endorses-house-healthcare-bill

[bluestateguy]

1. That could woo any wavering members from the Florida and Pennsylvania delegations

Very senior heavy states.

[dtotire]

2. They Should Mail This Statement To All Their Members

With the reasons they support the bill, and encourage all their members to give their support.

[babylonsister]

3. That's a great idea. I imagine it will be mentioned in their monthly(?)

newsletter.