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Independents Favor Health Reform After President's Speech

AARP Overnight Survey: Independents More in Favor of Health Reform

WASHINGTON—Independents 45-plus felt the President’s speech last night addressed some of their questions by a three-to-one margin according to overnight polling released by AARP today. The same survey found that a majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents all agreed reform must be a priority for this year.

In a national survey of Americans over 45, AARP found that many independents had concerns about health reform coming into last night’s speech (77 percent), but most (72 percent) felt that some of their concerns were addressed by the President’s speech. Further, a clear majority of independents considered themselves “more supportive of the proposals being talked about related to health care” after the speech was over (63 percent).

“What we saw in this survey was something we’ve seen for decades: that once you explain why we need reform people understand its importance,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President. “Last night’s speech wasn’t as much of a ‘game changer’ as it was a volume softener. Older Americans across the political spectrum continue to agree that reform must be accomplished this year – we are hopeful that momentum carries us to reform that AARP can support.”

When asked if after watching the health reform address people felt that reform should be a priority for our leaders to address this year, 70 percent of Independents, 95 percent of Democrats and a majority of Republicans – 56 percent – agreed it should.

LeaMond added, “Illness does not ask who you voted for in the last election before the costs associated with getting sick decimate your family. This survey finds that Americans – from all political walks of life – are worried about our current system and want reform. And AARP is going to fight as it has for more than 50 years until we achieve that reform.”

AARP is fighting for reforms that protect and expand benefits for people in Medicare, prevent discrimination based on age or health, and ensure no one—not an insurance company or a government bureaucrat—can come between you and your doctor. We are working to close the dreaded gap in Medicare drug coverage that forces many to stop taking the medicines that keep them healthy, and ensure that older Americans can buy and keep affordable health coverage.

Woelfel Research Inc. conducted interviews with a random sample of people at least 45 years old who watched the president's address to Congress. The interviews, conducted on September 9, 2009 have a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.3 percent.

A link to the complete survey can be found here: http://www.aarp.org/research/surveys/care/health/hcreform/articles/pres_speech.html.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.