AARP

AARP
source
Name	AARP
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Location	United States
Region served	United States
Membership	38 million
Leader	Jo Ann Jenkins

AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan interest group that advocates for the interests of older adults in the United States. Founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP has grown to become one of the largest and most influential advocacy groups in the country, with a membership of over 38 million people, including Helen Mirren, Michael J. Fox, and Susan Sarandon. AARP is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has offices in all 50 states, including California, New York, and Florida. The organization is led by Jo Ann Jenkins, who has been the CEO since 2014, and has worked with Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell on various issues.

● History

AARP was founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired California educator, with the goal of providing health insurance to older adults. At the time, many insurance companies refused to provide coverage to people over the age of 65, and Andrus saw an opportunity to fill this gap. The organization quickly grew, and by the 1960s, AARP was advocating for Medicare and Social Security reform, working with Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.. In the 1970s and 1980s, AARP continued to expand its advocacy efforts, working on issues such as age discrimination, pension reform, and long-term care, with the support of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. Today, AARP is a leading voice on issues affecting older adults, including health care, financial security, and social isolation, and has worked with Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.

● Organization

AARP is a non-profit organization, governed by a board of directors that includes Jo Ann Jenkins, Martha Boudreau, and Debra Whitman. The organization has a staff of over 2,000 people, including policy analysts, lobbyists, and community organizers, who work with American Medical Association, National Council on Aging, and The Gerontological Society of America. AARP is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in all 50 states, including California State Capitol, New York State Capitol, and Florida State Capitol. The organization also has a presence in Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, and Guam, and works with Hispanic Federation, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

● Advocacy

AARP is a leading advocate for older adults in the United States, working on issues such as health care, financial security, and social isolation. The organization has been a strong supporter of Medicare and Medicaid, and has worked to protect these programs from budget cuts and privatization efforts, with the support of American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, and National Association of Social Workers. AARP has also been a leading voice on issues such as age discrimination, pension reform, and long-term care, working with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and National Institute on Aging. The organization has worked with Congress, White House, and state legislatures to pass legislation that benefits older adults, including the Older Americans Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and has collaborated with National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, The Seniors Coalition, and Alliance for Retired Americans.

● Membership

AARP has a membership of over 38 million people, making it one of the largest membership organizations in the United States. Members include Helen Mirren, Michael J. Fox, and Susan Sarandon, as well as politicians such as Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, and Chuck Schumer. AARP members receive a range of benefits, including discounts on insurance, travel, and entertainment, as well as access to AARP The Magazine, AARP Bulletin, and AARP.org, which provide news, information, and resources on issues affecting older adults. Members also have the opportunity to participate in advocacy efforts, including lobbying and grassroots organizing, with the support of League of Women Voters, National Association of Secretaries of State, and Bipartisan Policy Center.

● Programs_and_Services

AARP offers a range of programs and services to its members, including insurance products, financial planning tools, and health and wellness resources. The organization also provides educational programs and workshops on topics such as Medicare, Social Security, and caregiving, with the support of National Institute on Aging, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Health Resources and Services Administration. AARP also offers a range of community programs, including volunteer opportunities and social events, which help to combat social isolation and promote healthy aging, and has collaborated with American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels.

● Criticisms_and_Controversies

AARP has faced criticism and controversy over the years, including allegations of conflict of interest and lobbying practices. Some have criticized the organization for its endorsement of health insurance products and financial services, which can generate significant revenue for AARP, and have raised concerns about the organization's relationships with insurance companies such as UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, and Humana. Others have criticized AARP's advocacy efforts, arguing that the organization does not always represent the interests of its members, and have pointed to the organization's support for legislation such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which has been controversial among some older adults. Despite these criticisms, AARP remains a powerful and influential voice on issues affecting older adults in the United States, and continues to work with Congress, White House, and state legislatures to promote the interests of its members, including National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, National Council on Aging, and The Gerontological Society of America. Category:Organizations