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ClaudetteB130970
Contributor ⭐
December 27, 2022

Why is the AARP welcoming the privatization of Medicare?

  • December 27, 2022
  • 10 replies
  • 5520 views

Why is the AARP welcoming the privatization of Medicare? I thought more members and people in general should know the AARP earns as much as $814 million annually from insurers advertising the plans. The safety net so many rely on for dignity and basic care is being gutted and AARP is happily joining right in as far as I can tell. With this kind of 'advocacy' there won't be any Medicaid left by the time I retire, let alone the gaps I am soon going to have to help my parents navigate. Shame on you, AARP.

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      10 replies

      ClaudetteB130970Author
      Contributor ⭐
      December 27, 2022

      https://jacobin.com/2022/11/aarp-medicare-advantage-privatization-health-care-seniors 

      john258
      Contributor ⭐⭐
      December 31, 2022

      Bad support article. It is not true.

      GailL1
      December 28, 2022

      @ClaudetteB130970 

       

      Already discussed on this board back in November 2022 - gave more info in that discussion which may help you to understand this policy in Medicare better.

      Here is the link to the November 2022 discussion:

      AARP Medicare and Insurance Community Board 11/30/2022 - AARP ADVOCATING FOR MEDICARE PRIVATIZATION?

       

      @ClaudetteB130970 said

      .. . . With this kind of 'advocacy' there won't be any Medicaid left by the time I retire, let alone the gaps I am soon going to have to help my parents navigate. 

      ==============================

      BTW - It is MEDICARE not MEDICAID and from your comments, you do have a lot to learn about the Medicare system before enrollment and making the choices you have to make inside the system. 

       

       

       

      nb5633
      Contributor ⭐
      January 9, 2023

      UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD MEDICARE BE PRIVATIZED

      jp2306867
      Contributor ⭐
      February 4, 2023

      AARP continues to be silent on their support of Medicare Advantage and REACH plans because of the money they make with their arrangement with United Healthcare. They cannot be seen as true advocates for seniors so long as this relationship keeps them from fighting against privatization. The advocates for Medicare Advantage plans ignore the fact that it is the insurance companies who profit by overcharging and denying care. It is seniors who suffer. Any senior on a MA plan who is happy with it, they can and should be able to stay on it. But those of us in traditional Medicare do not want to lose our government provided, not for profit coverage. Our choice matters too. Insurance companies and their advocates want to take that choice from us. They see us as an untapped market and they want in.

        JonRet
        Contributor ⭐
        January 22, 2023

        Medicare has always been a blend of public-private health care features, and the core issue remains finding a balance of benefits provided at affordable overall costs.  Interestingly, to help cut unacceptably long wait times for patients Canada has been allowing more private care delivery within its health system.

        https://nowtoronto.com/news/ford-says-surgical-waitlists-will-mirror-pre-pandemic-levels-by-march-under-new-private-health-care-plan/ 

        https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-pursues-private-options-to-ease-healthcare-backlogs-11674316841

        jp2306867
        Contributor ⭐
        April 28, 2024

             From pnhp.org:

        Medicare for All could save over 60,000 lives and billions of dollars per year by completely removing premiums, deductibles, copays, and surprise medical bills while fully covering medical care, dental, vision, long term care, medications, and more.

         

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