Obama Lauds AARP Backing of Health Care Bill

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Health Care

President Obama showed up at the regular White House press briefing to spotlight two endorsements for the House version of the health care reform bill: One from the AARP, the powerful seniors lobby, and the other from the American Medical Association.

"When it comes to the AARP, this is no small endorsement," the president said.

"They are a nonpartisan organization and their board made their decision to endorse only after a careful, intensive, objective scrutiny of this bill," he told reporters. "They're endorsing this bill because they know it will strengthen Medicare, not jeopardize it; they know it will protect the benefits our seniors receive, not cut them."

The president went on to argue that the endorsement represents a rebuke of efforts by opponents to convince seniors that the health care reform is bad news for them.

"I want everybody to remember that the next time you hear the same tired arguments to the contrary from the insurance companies and their lobbyists, and remember this endorsement the next time you see a bunch of misleading ads on television," he said.

(AP)

As for the AMA, the president said the group of doctors and medical professionals "would not be supporting it if they really believed that it would lead to government bureaucrats making decisions that are best left to doctors."

"They would not be with us if they believed that reform would in any way damage the critical and sacred doctor-patient relationship," he said.

The president said AMA members have "seen firsthand what's broken about our health care system."

"We are closer to passing this reform than ever before," the president said. "And now that the doctors and medical professionals of America are standing with us, now that the organizations charged with looking out for the interest of seniors are standing with us, we are even closer."

"I urge Congress to listen to AARP, listen to the AMA, and pass this reform for hundreds of millions of Americans who will benefit from it," he concluded.

The president left the briefing without taking questions. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs then stepped to the podium and quipped, "Now that the warm-up band is finished playing..."

"I'll probably only get to say that once or twice in my life. I might as well try today," he added, amid laughter from reporters.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by CJB42 November 7, 2009 7:42 AM EST: Anyone who understands <a href="http://www.mysenioradvisorsgroup.com/Medicare-Advantage-Basics.html">Medicare Advantage</a> know that over 100,000 individual will lose there MA plan in 2010. Many of these people are low and middle income retiree's.

This is where this legislation will hurt, those who need it most. This is before the real cuts to Medicare Advantage take place. Imagine all those low and middle income seniors without anything to supplement Medicare in the next few years. This will continue to drive up cost for healthcare and this legislation will be a failure.

This reform is the most political, incompetent, legislation since the Economic Recovery Act. Obama is taking this country in bankruptcy and seniors and everyone else should be against this and everything else this administration stands for.

Senior Citizens defeat these socialist in 2010, and 2012. We are all living and experiencing a real paradigm shift in U.S. history and it is extremely dangerous.

For those who need assistance finding a new <a href="http://www.mysenioradvisorsgroup.com/index.html">Medicare Supplement</a> plan try either of the links on this page. This group really helped solve my Medicare insurance dilemma.; Reply to this comment


by The_One_King November 6, 2009 9:10 AM EST: ARRP lines are jammed. Many calling to cancel memberships.
As soon as I can get through, I will cancel my membership.
ARRP will never get another penny from me.; Reply to this comment


by jschmidt27 November 5, 2009 9:19 PM EST: AARP makes a ton of money sponsoring medical insurance. So they are not looking out for the elderly just there own income. It's all about the money.; Reply to this comment

by supportourtroops653 November 5, 2009 8:45 PM EST

When will the euthanization start? Socialism didn't work in Russia. See how many Canadians are TRULY happy with their socialized medicine. My sister, a nurse, is already caring for a heart patient who has recieved a letter from the federal government informing him that due to his current condition, he would not be approved for a transplant should one become available. Let the non-medical people choose who can live and who can die...makes perfect sense doesn't it. Hippocrates must be turning over in his grave.

Reply to this comment


by doctor_know November 5, 2009 10:20 PM EST: Sure socialized medicine is bad in poor countries... people in wealthy countries with socialized medicine (Canada, Finland, etc.) tend to really like it.


by pensacola8-2009 November 5, 2009 10:56 PM EST: I seriously doubt your story is even complete if it even has truth to it at all.

Euthanization? Depending on how you look at it, it is already here, since many have died from being deprived health care. That is what we are trying to change.

As for your comment about socialism, you need to know the difference between socialism and democracy. If people want it - it is not socialism. Most of the people do want health care and they do trust the government to provide it if it comes to that. The poor value that compares costs to performance of privatized health care in the recent years made government health care very attractive.

I do concede that there are many who are never Truly happy with anything, no matter how good it may be. No one has to go to Canada to find people who aren't truly happy with anything.


by vietnamwar November 5, 2009 7:21 PM EST: oops .. this is Bush Fault toooooo....

Chinese giant to buy US oil assets: company

Oslo (AFP) Nov 4, 2009
Norwegian energy group Statoil said Wednesday it was selling some of its US offshore oil assets to China's state-owned CNOOC, marking the first step by a Chinese energy major into the US market.; Reply to this comment


by vietnamwar November 5, 2009 7:20 PM EST: We are worry about health care while the Chinese move in to th USA...
and hy can we own and drill here in the State......:
Chinese giant to buy US oil assets: company

by Staff Writers
Oslo (AFP) Nov 4, 2009
Norwegian energy group Statoil said Wednesday it was selling some of its US offshore oil assets to China's state-owned CNOOC, marking the first step by a Chinese energy major into the US market.; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 6:15 PM EST: by velma179 November 5, 2009 5:44 PM EST
by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 5:26 PM EST

The cuts to Medicare Advantage have to do with subsidies to private insurers. I haven't seen it said anywhere that the PROGRAM is being ended.

As for AARP making money ... I always thought the BIG bogeyman was the government taking our money and getting all socialist/communist/marxist-and fascist too! on us -- I thought private enterprise making tons of money was the conservative wet dream...?

Oh well

The right wing extremists don't know what they're supposed to be opposing or supporting.

Their handlers keep giving them mixed messages on EVERY ISSUE.

Just like jobs: They keep whining and crying that government should stay out of private business, and then bittcch and complain because Obama isn't doing more to create jobs.; Reply to this comment

by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 5:26 PM EST

by jsd330 November 5, 2009 5:07 PM EST
Yeah they know whats better for them, not their members. Cut Medicare Advantage, and they sell more Medicare supplements= insurance. In the past week I have seen more AARP Medicare supplement insurance commercials, then I've seen all year. Wonder how much AARP's Ceo makes.

The AARP medicare advantage program is provided by UHC. If this program is so bad, would UHC still be providing it?

Reply to this comment


by velma179 November 5, 2009 5:44 PM EST: by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 5:26 PM EST

The cuts to Medicare Advantage have to do with subsidies to private insurers. I haven't seen it said anywhere that the PROGRAM is being ended.

As for AARP making money ... I always thought the BIG bogeyman was the government taking our money and getting all socialist/communist/marxist-and fascist too! on us -- I thought private enterprise making tons of money was the conservative wet dream...?

Oh well


by jsd330 November 5, 2009 6:29 PM EST: hungry1968-17 Isn't UHC one of the evil health insurance companies that you want to get rid of? And how much do you think AARP makes off of every one they refer to UHC? I didn't say it was a bad program, that's what Obama wants to cut the subsidies on to pay for the public option. If that program get's reduced, seniors that have it will be paying more out of pocket expenses. In turn they if they want to keep the same benefits they will end up buying a Medi Gap policy, which UHC sells through AARP also. They have a win win situation.

Velma179 AARP is supposed to be not for profit, just like Blue Cross Blue Sheild is supposed to be. I searced to see how much the AARP CEO made but couldn't find it. I'll bet he makes about equal to what Blue Cross Blue Sheild CEO's make.

by larrypearce November 5, 2009 4:23 PM EST

i just cut my aarp membership card in half and with my sharpie placed a pointed "two word" note to them...do the same...3200 East Carson St., Lakewood, CA 90712

Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 4:34 PM EST: You hate America that much, that you would do something this hateful to someone that is looking out for your best interests?


by velma179 November 5, 2009 5:52 PM EST: I just joined AARP

by roda11 November 5, 2009 3:39 PM EST

This bill is clearly not in the interest of AARP members. Why would they endorse it? Medicare funds will be cut, Medicare Advantage will be eliminated -- so what is in the best interest of AARP members - this bill - NOT! There is $$ in it somewhere for AARP or there would be no endorsement.

Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 5, 2009 4:25 PM EST: Obviously they know more about the legislation, and whether it will help or harm seniors, than you do.

The AARP supports it, the American Cancer Society supports it, the AMA supports it, and the republicans and insurance companies oppose it.

It MUST be good!


by jsd330 November 5, 2009 5:07 PM EST: Yeah they know whats better for them, not their members. Cut Medicare Advantage, and they sell more Medicare supplements= insurance. In the past week I have seen more AARP Medicare supplement insurance commercials, then I've seen all year. Wonder how much AARP's Ceo makes.