Fiscal Tax Blog

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AARP doesn’t represent seniors. It overcharges them

With families still struggling after years of high inflation, “affordability” remains top of mind for policymakers in Washington. But one organization has little credibility on this front: AARP. Formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, a more accurate moniker might be Against Affordability for Retired Persons because AARP makes most of its money by overcharging its members. As I outline in a new report for American Commitment, its most recently available financial statement shows…

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UnitedHealth Owns AARP

Well, figuratively speaking. Here are the latest findings from ace researcher Chris Jacobs on AARP’s financials: AARP has received an estimated $10.8 billion in tax-free revenue from UnitedHealth since 2007. [That’s BILLION, not million.]; In 2024, AARP received an additional $9.1 billion from UnitedHealth as an advance on future royalty fees tied to AARP-endorsed insurance plans, which AARP expects to recognize over 12 years – equivalent to roughly $755 million in annual royalty revenue; In…

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New Report Raises Concerns About Multi-Billion-Dollar “Unholy Alliance” Between AARP and Big Insurer-PBM UnitedHealth

Washington, D.C. – July 14, 2026 – Today, as part of its “Commitment to Seniors” initiative, American Commitment released a comprehensive report conducted by Juniper Research Group analyzing the scope and implications of AARP’s multi-billion-dollar financial relationship with UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest health insurance company. Key findings include: AARP has received an estimated $10.8 billion in tax-free revenue from UnitedHealth since 2007. In 2024, AARP received an additional $9.1 billion from UnitedHealth as an…

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Lawmakers Target the Power of Health Insurance Giants

After years of rampant expansion into nearly every corner of the health care system, the biggest insurance conglomerates are confronting new efforts to break up their businesses. Arguing that the companies have become too dominant, Arkansas and Tennessee passed laws that aim to prevent the companies from managing prescription benefits and running retail and mail-order pharmacies. Lawmakers in other states and in Washington have proposed similar restrictions. In response, the three companies — UnitedHealth Group,…

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Report Shows Obamacare Fraud Is Worse Than You Think

Following the expiration of the Covid-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies at the end of last year, the corporate media have remained focused on how much Exchange enrollment might decline this year. But a new report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides another perspective on the issue. Official reports by the Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office have previously examined how applicants misstate their income to qualify for subsidies and how Exchanges permitted enrollment of fictitious applicants. But the data HHS…

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Stop Germany, Japan Free-Riding On U.S. Drug Innovation

The developed world has long forced American patients to disproportionately shoulder the cost of pharmaceutical innovation. And President Donald Trump has had enough. He recently put our allies on notice—by launching a formal trade investigation into Germany’s unfair drug pricing practices and signaling his readiness to formally investigate other nations if they refuse to change course. Those investigations are desperately needed. Germany’s government is poised to enact an even more aggressive price-setting scheme in the…

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U.S. opens tariff probe targeting Germany’s drug pricing policies

The U.S. has launched an investigation into Germany’s pharma policies over what it referred to as “persistent underpayment” for medicines as the European country looks to limit spiraling healthcare costs, including spending on drugs. “President Trump has made clear that American patients should not be shouldering a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development,” said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a statement late Thursday. “I am particularly concerned with news that Germany is fast-tracking…

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The ‘most favored nation’ threat is real. Seniors should take notice

People have spent a lifetime paying taxes in exchange for the promise of Medicare coverage once they reach 65. In return, seniors expect to receive the highest quality care and access to innovative, impactful treatments and therapies they need to maintain their health. The “most favored nation” drug pricing policy being considered by the Trump administration threatens to disrupt their Medicare coverage completely by importing foreign price-setting policies that could limit access to the medications millions depend on. Every Medicare beneficiary…