The healthcare reform initiative has consumed the focus of the press, Congress, the President, private business and a multitude of groups (RetireSafe being one). This focus is well deserved; the legislation crafted so far has the power to affect our economic and physical wellbeing for decades to come. While the legislation will affect everybody, it will affect seniors the most. They have the most to lose and are the group least able to react to changes in health care and to the financial impact it will have. So the question is asked, “Who among these groups really represents this important but vulnerable group?”

If you would ask most Americans what organization represents seniors I would venture a guess that a vast majority would say AARP. They have 40 million members and as such have the ear of Congress and especially the President. But do they really represent seniors? Does AARP truly represent older Americans' stance on the important issue of health care reform? I don't think so, and now that the harsh light of the healthcare debate has exposed AARP's true colors I think seniors all over America are beginning to understand that AARP doesn't represent them.

Here's what we know about the AARP-backed health care reform plan:

1. It would ration people's health care and hurt seniors the most.
2. It would reduce your ability to get the finest orthopedic and cardiac care.
3. It would limit your access to the best hospitals.
4. It will threaten home health care, and cut diagnostics.
5. It will strangle research and innovation that we need to develop new therapies and cures!
6. It undercuts private plan options in Medicare, and will ultimately deny you the benefit of your valued doctor-patient relationship!
7. It will put bureaucrats in charge of your health care!

Does that sound like an organization that is looking out for your best interests? It doesn't sound like it to me and it doesn't sound like it to those who chose to reply to AARP's stance on healthcare. The following quotes were taken directly from AARP's own website:

"I can't believe that our AARP sold us out. This health care bill will destroy the elderly. They think we are feeble and weak-minded. I read a lot and I have many friends overseas since I retired from the Military and I have even witnessed it first hand. In Europe and even Canada, seniors are a last priority under socialized medicine. Over there, senior citizens are no longer seen as productive members of society but only seen as leaches."
(Posted: July 29, 2009 4:08PM EDT)

"Obama basically admitted that a government bureaucrat (or committee) will intercede between you and your doctor in making healthcare decisions. What's wrong with relying on your doctor alone? What about the delay that will be involved waiting for this so-called advice? Who needs this crap. Why is AARP going along with this nonsense?" (Posted: July 29, 2009 5:40PM EDT)

Someone said that AARP was 40 million members gathered together for discounts. If that was really true it wouldn't be so bad, but AARP is taking the money from membership enrollment, its many commercial dealings, and the government grants it gets, and using it to sell its members down the river so they can keep their fancy offices and favored status on Capitol Hill and with the President. Another posting on AARP's web site said it best:

"AARP is essentially selling its constituents down the Obama Care river!! Maybe Rand will get to enjoy a night in the Lincoln bedroom for his support. Providing Obama a public forum at AARP's headquarters was just TOO MUCH. Time (to) burn my AARP card!!"
(Posted: July 29, 2009 3:55PM EDT)

It's time to decide who really represents seniors. It's RetireSafe. Join our over 400,000 supporters in opposing this trip down “the Obama Care river.” The President and Congress should take a lesson from those doctors they are so quick to malign and first “do no harm.”

Healthcare reform doesn't have to harm seniors. Call, write, email, or fax your member of Congress today and tell him or her you don't want this harmful plan. Join RetireSafe, an organization that truly does represent seniors, so we can fight for you in this important battle.