Recently, individuals have written letters attacking AARP for advocating health care reform, suggesting that it is a “left-wing, liberal organization.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. As a senior, I have been a member for more than 20 years and have worked with AARP on many issues for the benefit of seniors, as well as many others.

It was Oregon AARP that successfully lobbied to open the Oregon Prescription Drug Program to all seniors, resulting in substantial savings. Oregon AARP, working with other groups in the campaign for Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities, successfully lobbied the 2009 Legislature, preventing drastic cuts in the Human Services budgets that would have had a devastating effect on seniors.

AARP has never advocated for anything other than more affordable health care for those older than 65 and for those 50 to 64, regardless of pre-existing conditions.

AARP wants to improve Medicare by closing the “doughnut hole,” protecting patients’ access to doctors and medical care, while cutting down on wasteful spending and fraud.

AARP is not advocating for any particular plan or socialized medicine. AARP wants to fix what’s wrong with health care and preserve what’s right.

AARP wants you to know the facts and not be scared by the myths and lies out there. You, of course, are free to believe the misinformation. But if you want to know the truth, go to AARP’s Web site, as well as healthactionnow.org.

And no, I don’t work for AARP, but I am a volunteer.

Jack O’Malley

Bend