We are coming down to the decisive days in the health care reform debate. President Obama says that Americans should be able to keep their current insurance or buy into a public plan. The private health insurance industry and its allies are mobilizing against this. We believe AARP should be a powerful counterweight to those who would strangle real reform. We urge AARP to step forward in support of the public plan that could mean real reform for all Americans. We urge you to sign the petition: Ask AARP to take action now.
As members and potential members of AARP, we believe the time has now come for our organization to deploy its significant influence and demand that a public health insurance plan be included as a choice in any health care reform.
It is clear that the only realistic chance of extending affordable coverage to the millions now without it---and to the millions with inadequate coverage (increasingly many more Americans due to job losses and other factors) ---is through a public health insurance plan open to all and available on a level playing field with private insurance. The benefits of such a plan include:
1. An alternative to private, for-profit insurance plans, which have a long track record of ever-higher premiums for fewer health benefits. Among those affected by their policies are AARP members from 50 to 65 years old.
2. Comprehensive benefits wth coverage for all
3. Maximization of our health dollars and control of costs
The AARP is one of the few advocacy organizations with the resources and political influence to counter the massive lobbying effort underway right now in Washington aimed at blocking a serious public health insurance option.
We are concerned that our politicians are proving overly susceptible to pressures from the private health insurance lobby, especially on the hot button issue of the public plan. President Obama has said that health care "should be a right for every American," and he campaigned on his commitment to give Americans the choice of a public health insurance plan alongside the plans of private insurers.
Now is the time for AARP to speak out forcefully. AARP has always played a strong leadership role not just for our older citizens, but for the country as a whole. We urge AARP to seize this opportunity and join with the President to see that truly comprehensive health care reform is enacted.
Thank you for taking the time to read our petition.
