Originally published November 5, 2009 at 8:39 AM | Page modified November 5, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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Seniors' lobby AARP endorses House Dem health bill
The AARP has officially endorsed the House Democratic health care bill, a major boost for the legislation two days before a historic vote.
Associated Press Writer
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President Obama appears in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on Thursday to thank the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for their support of the House health-care bill.
The AARP has officially endorsed the House Democratic health care bill, a major boost for the legislation two days before a historic vote.
AARP Senior Policy Adviser John Rother said Thursday that the 40-million strong organization backs the House bill. He said the measure closes the coverage gap in Medicare prescription benefits, puts strict limits on what health insurers can charge older workers too young for Medicare and creates a voluntary, long-term care insurance program.
Officials with the seniors lobby said the organization lost 150,000 members since July 1 because of the group's support for health overhaul. But in that time, it also registered 2.7 million new members and renewals. Officials said they were confident their members would see the bill's benefits.
