Title: AARP - InfluenceWatch
Headings: AARP
AARP
Contents
History
Founding
Early Growth
Disputes over Non-Profit Status
Expansion of Membership Base
Leadership
Activities and Reach
Business Interests
Lobbying
Media Production
Advocacy Positions
Support for Obamacare
Social Security
Other
References
Directors, Employees & Supporters
Associated Organizations
Coalition Memberships
Donor Organizations
Donation Recipients
Vendors
Nonprofit Information
Available Filings
Additional Filings (PDFs)

Content: [38]
Advocacy Positions
Support for Obamacare
AARP was an active supporter of Obamacare throughout the 2009 to 2010 legislative session during which the law was debated and ultimately passed. Emails released by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 2012 revealed that AARP’s top leadership was in regular contact with Obama administration senior officials to discuss strategy of how to pass the legislation. [39]
One email showed AARP senior vice president David Sloane sending the administration “as promised” his “message points” on Medicare. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle assured him “I think you will hear some of your lines tomorrow” in President Obama’s speech. [40]
In August 2009, AARP unveiled a national advertising campaign in support of Obamacare, to ensure that “every member of Congress knows the 50-plus community wants action to fix what’s wrong with healthcare.” [41]
AARP made this claim despite weeks of daily internal polling showing that its members opposed the president’s plan. [42]
The Wall Street Journal described AARP support for Obamacare this way: [43]
“AARP worked through 2009-10 as an extension of a Democratic White House, toiling daily to pass a health bill that slashes $716 bi