Other Senior Groups See Vast Increase in Membership
Founded in 1958, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has been the primary organization representing individuals over the age of 50. According to AARP, the group has a membership of 40 million and is listed as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The AARP includes a Public Policy Institute which promotes legislation related to those over 50 years of age.
AARP’s Mission Statement reads the group’s goal is “to enhance the quality of life for all as we age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.”
The AARP has come under criticism in the past for what many believe has been the endorsement of a liberal political agenda. More recently, the organization has suffered a public relations fiasco due to AARP’s seeming support of President Barack Obama‘s plan to reform America ‘s health care system.
An AARP spokesman admitted more than 60,000 individuals have canceled their membership since July 1st of 2009. However, AARP’s loss is good news for others.
A conservative alternative to AARP is the 60 Plus Association, a “nonpartisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues.” The group’s goals include ending the federal estate tax and saving Social Security for the young.
In recent weeks, seniors have turned out en masse at Town Hall meetings across the nation, voicing their opposition to what many believe would be a government take-over of America ‘s health care system. Medicare has been targeted for over $500 billion in cuts and this has united seniors in a way not seen since the 1930’s when World War I veterans sought promised compensation for benefits related to their military service.
Senior citizens are concerned that their Medicare benefits will be cut drastically as a result of the proposed health care reform legislation yet to be considered by Congress. Many experts predict those in their golden years will eventually face the rationing of medical services in order for the government to save revenue. Nearly 25% of Medicare’s budget is allocated on patients during the last year of life. According to the Obama administration, there are currently 47 million Americans who do not have any form of health care coverage, though this figure is widely contested. Most experts agree the coverage of nearly 50 million uninsured would come on the backs of the elderly.
When the health care reform debate first began, the AARP was out in front in its support of what most admit would eventually evolve into a government-run health care system. The thought of bureaucrats making life and death decisions for a significant segment of the population has put the AARP on the defensive in recent weeks.
During a recent Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire, Barack Obama added more fuel to the fire concerning the controversy surrounding AARP. Obama told those gathered his plan for health care reform was officially endorsed by the organization. The next day an AARP spokesman quickly denied the group had given its blessings to Obamacare, but the bleeding has not stopped regarding the exodus from the organization. Other groups representing seniors have also benefited from the flap over health care reform and how it would affect the elderly.
Founded in 2005, the Atlanta-based American Seniors Association (ASA) is also seeing a substantial increase in its rolls due to the exodus from AARP. ASA has offered a two year membership (for the price of one year) to those who turn in a torn in half AARP card. ASA was founded by Jerry Barton, a retired businessman and long time advocate of conservative causes.
It is evident what apparently appeared to be a windfall for the AARP has turned into something the organization wishes would now go away. But some believe the AARP’s monopoly over information and services provided to seniors was never a good thing, and the growing membership in groups which approach issues affecting seniors from an alternative political view is needed.
