By Scott Hensley

Here comes the AARP to endorse Democrats' health legislation, just in time for big votes on the House floor that could come as soon as Saturday.

Obama and AARp

President Obama speaks about health care during a meeting at the AARP's headquarters in Washington. At left is AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

The Associated Press reports the influential group representing retirees and older people will publicly back the unified health legislation in the House. The AARP Web site promises "a major health reform announcement" at 11:30 EST today.

AARP's support would give House Democrats a big boost. Half of Americans over 50 belong to the organization, AARP's lobbying director David Certner told NPR's Peter Overby.

Critics say AARP is conflicted on overhaul because the group make lots of money on health insurance sold under the AARP brand. Last year AARP pocketed $222 million in royalties from UnitedHealthcare, which issues most of the policies marketed with the AARP name. That's nearly as much as dues paid by AARP's members, Overby notes.

AARP defends its dual roles, advocate for health overhaul and seller of insurance products. "We are driven by our policy," Cerner said. "Our policy drives our advocacy. Our policy drives what we do in terms of our product. And that's been the way it has been from the beginning."

Update: As expected, AARP today threw its weight behind House Democrats on health overhaul, saying, the proposal "delivers on key priorities we've been fighting for." Some of the things AARP likes are closing the out-of-pocket "doughnut hole" in the Medicare drug benefit and measures to prevent insurance denials on the basis of age and health status.

Watch video of the endorsement below:

categories: Health Overhaul

9:45 - November 5, 2009

What is this?

Share