This week: AARP faces grilling over reform support

The Hill ^ | 3/29/11 | Healthwatch staff

[Nachum]

House Republicans will adopt a new approach to their investigations of the healthcare reform law this week with a public grilling of a powerful lobby group that supported the overhaul.

On Friday, two House Ways and Means subpanels will demand that AARP answer questions about its business practices and political endorsements. Republicans have accused the seniors lobby of endorsing healthcare reform to make more money from its endorsement of Medigap insurance policies.

The continuing debate over a spending bill funding the government will also spark more friction on the healthcare front.

Lawmakers have less than two weeks to come up with the next spending bill to keep the government running past April 8. Lawmakers, growing increasingly upset with short-term stopgap measures, face tough negotiations over healthcare riders House Republicans attached to their long-term budget last month.

Senate Democrats say the riders, which block federal funds for Planned Parenthood and healthcare reform implementation, are nonstarters.

[chuckee]

I could never understand how the concept of a senior citizen discount is constitutional.Is this not ageism discriminatory against folks not in that class. Can restaurants and hotels then not have a hispanic or African American or caucasian discount.

[LurkedLongEnough]

AARP is a front for progressive “transformation” - no different than a union taking your “dues” and using them to promote their political agenda. Sadly, many AARP members gladly pay their $12/year “membership” thinking that they’re supporting a senior citizen social and discounts group like AAA.

[P-Marlowe]

I could never understand how the concept of a senior citizen discount is constitutional.Is this not ageism discriminatory against folks not in that class.

Nothing in the Constitution prohibits anyone (even the State or Federal Government) from discriminating on the basis of age.

Can restaurants and hotels then not have a hispanic or African American or caucasian discount.

Nothing in the Constitution prohibits any private citizen or private business from discriminating on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, or anything else.

I could never understand why people think the Constitution prohibits these things.

[nkycincinnatikid]

It’s not the concept of a voluntary senior citizen discount, or a voluntary student discount etc, that bothers me.
What absolutely infuriates and disgusts me is the AARP “shake down” discounts.
These require an individual like myself to ignore personal financial self interest when purchasing even LEGALLY IMPOSED services, insurances, and products. You either get the equivalant of a Communist or Nazi Party Card, such as is membership in the AARP or you resign yourself to pay more.
They are a criminal political organization period.

[chuckee]

I understand the point you are trying to make. But the US Supreme Court disagrees in that they have repeatedly ruled that the 14th amendment equal protection clause outlaws discrimination in public accomodations.

[xtinct]

AARP should fry for their roll in the Healthcare fiasco.

It was expected that AARP PROTEST the transfer of $500 billion out of Medicare.

Hope Congress shuts them down !

[P-Marlowe]

But the US Supreme Court disagrees in that they have repeatedly ruled that the 14th amendment equal protection clause outlaws discrimination in public accommodations.

Wrong.

The US Supreme Court has indicated that the 1964 Civil Rights act is constitutional and it is the 1964 Civil Rights act which outlaws discrimination in public accommodations. The rationale for the Civil Rights act was the Commerce Clause not the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment only applies to the States not to individuals or businesses.

[FrankR]

I wouldn't join that bunch with your money. I'm still having fun returning their beg-mail with all of the other junk mail I receive, and sending it back to them in their "pre-paid" envelopes...I try to make it as heavy as possible.

I'm wondering if they ever fired that woman who got up in front of the town hall meeting and insulted all of the seniors in America? She cost them a lot of money.

[Fido969]

Liberals try to “capture” organizations that have wealth and endowments, and then use that wealth to advance their causes. If they leave the organization a shambles, what do they care?

[nkycincinnatikid]

Ha Ha, I read about that delightful little practice on a freeper post years ago, no doubt your post old timer, and I have indulged in it once or twice myself since then.
Thanks for the joy it provided.