As a boy growing up on the plains of Nebraska, we used the term “hogwash” to describe pronouncements that didn’t measure up to the truth. I regret to say that Jay Hancock’s recent column (“AARP’s benefits include bankrupting the country,” Aug. 13) contained as much pure “hogwash” as I’ve seen in some time. Let me set the record straight.
AARP is proud to represent more than 36 million Americans aged 50-plus, and to be a forceful advocate on the leading edge of developing consensus for positive social change. We are driven by our mission – making a difference – not by making money.
AARP’s social mission drives the products and services we make available to our members through our endorsed providers – not the other way around. We have said repeatedly that we would always support public policy initiatives that are in the best interest of our members – even if they eliminate the need for AARP-endorsed services and products.
All of the royalty income that AARP receives from the use of its name goes into serving our members with education, information and other benefits intended to improve their lives.
We believe existence of AARP-endorsed products and services strengthens our advocacy efforts because they help force competitors to produce higher quality goods and services and to market them with more integrity. The fact that so many Americans purchase AARP-endorsed products and services indicates that they find them of special value.
AARP leads by taking a stand, getting things done, telling the truth – and facing the truth. And the truth is: Mr. Hancock is just flat wrong when he suggests that what threatens America’s future fiscal security is the pending retirement of the baby boomers and the resulting rise in Medicare beneficiaries.
The biggest enemy we all face is the status quo.
Today’s skyrocketing health costs (throughout the entire health-care system) are what is driving up Medicare costs. No less than the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, among others, have said that slowing the growth of health-care costs is critical to meeting America’s future fiscal challenges.
Simply cutting Medicare instead of attacking costs will only make things worse. Of all the factors that affect our lives in later years, health is the most fundamental. Medicare’s future costs cannot be ignored. But we also must recognize the enormously beneficial impact the program has on quality of life for older Americans – not to mention quality of life for their families.
If we really want to improve health care in America and reduce federal budget deficits, we cannot afford to simply blame AARP and Medicare and settle for measures that merely shift costs. That’s a prescription for failure. We need to address the real issues and move beyond the “hogwash,” once and for all. We need to develop fair, effective and bipartisan solutions to the rising costs in America’s health-care system, and begin enacting needed changes.
Erik Olsen is president of AARP.
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