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AARP Will Endorse House Dems' Health Bill

Seniors group helped Bush get drug plan through Congress

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 4, 2009 8:00 PM CST

(AP) – In a coup for House Democrats, AARP will endorse sweeping health-care overhaul legislation, officials said today. An endorsement from the seniors' lobby was crucial when then-President Bush pushed the Medicare prescription drug benefit through a closely divided Congress in 2003. House Democrats are hoping it will work the same political magic for them.

Backing the 10-year, $1.2 trillion House bill is a tricky move for AARP. Many retirees are concerned about cuts in Medicare payments to medical providers, which will be used to finance an expansion of health insurance coverage to millions of working families who now lack it. Also, AARP says its membership is about evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans and independents, meaning its endorsement could anger many members.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.   (AP Photo)
Members of AARP.
Members of AARP.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 5, 2009 5:31 AM CST
As usual doing, wrong again. Why don't you stop wringing your hands over the ill-gotten gains of corporate cheats and get on history's bandwagon. It's time America belonged to all Americans, not just the rich ones.
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 5, 2009 5:25 AM CST
doiing - wrong again.
brawne
Nov 5, 2009 2:51 AM CST
Oh netstorm--just when I thought you were cool you make a thing about age--here's the thing about age--we all experience it and the more graceful the happier. When I was 45, on a weird call me nuts whim I picked up the 24 year old cute guy and had a six condom night. A man my age would know about septic systems, but a dumb 24 year old--not so much. Bad, bad to drain the system, but he got huge points for meeting my ten houses down neighbor who asked him if he was in from school and he said, "yes sir, I'm in from school." Only time that I went cougar and the bill from the septic tank company stopped that cougar shit right in its tracks.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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