We are all now familiar with the town hall scenarios that have happened in recent weeks across the country...angry citizens arguing with their representatives about the proposed changes in the health care system coming out of Washington.The AARP, representing 40 million members across the country, is deeply involved in the discussion.
"The cost of doing nothing is disastrous and I mean that literally,” said Stuart Ho of the AARP.
Stuart Ho of the Hawaii AARP says the organization is not a late-comer to the debate.
He points out that in the year 2000, the average family spent $6,000 on health care.
Ho said, "In 2008, it rose to 12,000 and change. And in just seven years, in 2016 that's going to rise to 24,000 and change."
There have been claims that the AARP backs the president's health care plan.
"We've been accused of backing this position or that position. We back no position, none whatsoever and never have except for getting the word out that the cost of not doing anything is disastrous,” said Ho.
One third of the population in Hawaii is 50 years or older, the people who would qualify for AARP membership.
Of those between the ages of 50 and 64, 25,000 are uninsured.
And that is the population that often struggles with chronic illness and yet they are not eligible for Medicare.
It becomes obvious why AARP has a vested interest in health care reform.
Some have charged that AARP members are quitting.
Not so, says Stuart Ho.
"We have increased our membership by several hundred thousand. We expect a great year for membership."
And, he says, AARP will not back away from the health care debate.
