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Health Reform's Enemy No. 1? Seniors

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 9:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Scan the ranks of health care reform malcontents at your local town hall, and you’ll notice a lot of older faces. With Democrats aiming their sales pitch mostly at middle-class Americans and the uninsured, seniors have come to fear that Medicare, their own beloved government-run health care, will face unpleasant cuts, Politico reports. Just 20% believe reform will improve their situation—which could spell a big problem for the 2010 elections, since seniors vote more than any other demographic.

Barack Obama tried to reassure seniors yesterday, saying “We are not talking about cutting Medicare benefits,” and adding, “We have the AARP onboard because they know this is a good deal for our seniors.” But an AARP spokesman said the insinuation that the group supported any of the bills was “inaccurate,” even though AARP officials have appeared at White House health care events and held a tele-town hall for Obama.

President Barack Obama participates in an AARP tele-town hall on health care, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

A woman, who opposes health care reform, points to her wrist watch while listening to panelists during a health care town hall meeting in Alhambra, Calif, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Danielle Harvey , far left, and Melissa Harvey, right, both of Lititz, Pa., hold signs outside of a town hall meeting held by Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., in Lebanon, Pa. (AP Photo/The Patriot-News, Christine Baker)

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., watches as a participant attending a town hall meeting in Lebanon, Pa. is restrained by another participant on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/The Patriot-News, Christine Baker)

An unidentified man shouts at Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., during a Town Hall meeting Tuesday , Aug. 11, 2009 in Lebanon, Pa. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower)

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Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

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Donald Berwick says 20-30% of health care spending helps no one

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Mitt's approach to Medicare looks a lot like Dems' original proposition: Ezra Klein

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Health Reform's Enemy No. 1? Seniors

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care costs • health insurance • Medicare • AARP • health care reform • senior citizens • deathers

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Dead Skier's Fans Donate $300K to Cover Bill

Sarah Burke's case puts spotlight on US system

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

Donald Berwick says 20-30% of health care spending helps no one

Romney's Health Plan: The New 'Public Option'

Mitt's approach to Medicare looks a lot like Dems' original proposition: Ezra Klein

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?