These reports look at public opinion for AARP members age 50 and older who identify themselves as likely voters in November’s Congressional Elections.

 Chief findings from the national member survey include:

• Almost all AARP members (95%) say it’s important that a candidate pledge to protect Social Security as a guaranteed, life-long benefit, with similar support among Republicans (94%), Democrats (98%) and ticket-splitters (95%).
• A majority of AARP members in Medicare (81%) and those younger members not yet eligible for Medicare (86%) are concerned about the impact of a looming 23% physician pay cut on their access to a doctor.  Republicans are more likely than Democrats (67% - 53%) to vote for a candidate who promises to fix the system and prevent future doctor pay cuts.
• Almost three-in-four (72%) AARP members say that Medicare fraud is a major problem, and 70% say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports specific legislative measures to prevent and crack down on fraud – this sentiment is true across party lines (73% Republicans, 68% Democrats, 72% ticket-splitters).
• Despite overwhelming agreement on key needs for older Americans, partisan differences remain. More than six-in-ten (61%) AARP members think the country is going on the wrong track, with sharp differences of opinion between Republicans (94%) and Democrats (31%).  Democrats are almost four times as likely as Republicans to say the economy will get better in the next year (60% - 16%). 

 

Telephone interviews were conducted between September 9-13, 2010 with a nationwide sample of 1,000 AARP members who are likely voters in the 2010 federal elections. The series of surveys was conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc., in consultation with Hart Research Associates.  Member surveys were also conducted with a national sample of Hispanic members and with member samples in the following states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Hampshire, Colorado, Florida and Missouri. All media inquiries about this report should be directed to (202) 434-2560. For all other questions, contact Gerard Rainville at grainville@aarp.org.