e old peoples commutingpatterns. AARPs greatest efforts, however, lie in its struggle to reformMedicare. AARP has helped to bring Medicare fraud to the forefront ofnational policy. Their investigations have shown that Medicair doctorsregularly file false reports to collect government money, that Medicarehelp-lines are often disconnected and that Medicare treatment is oftensacrificed by doctors for the sake of making more money (Pear, NY Times2/21/99: web). In all, AARP has co-sponsored a campaign to cease theMedicare fraud and abuse that has cost the government $12.6 billion inimproper payments and has increased patient premiums (Lawlor & Pear,NY Times 5/25/99 & NY Times 2/21/99: web). AARPs campaignencourages people to closely monitor Medicare doctors and to report anysuspicions of abuse to a Medicare fraud hotline (Pear). Furthermore,AARP has urged Congress to better enforce the False Claims Act againstMedicare abuse. This has resulted in 326 criminal convictions last year, upfrom 140 in 1994 (The AARP Home Page: web). AARP also runs an extensive nationwide volunteer network aimed atimproving the self-worth and self-reliance of senior citizens. More than160,000 volunteers are involved in various AARP projects. TheGrandparent Information Center provides information and support tograndparents who are raising their grandchildren, Tax-Aide provides helpwith taxes, and the 55ALIVE/Mature Driving program offers memberscourses in safe-driving (The AARP Home Page: web). AARP also offerstraining for lawyers who represent the elderly and the association's AndrusFoundation awards grants for research in gerontology.Finally, AARP, through its AARP/VOTE program, maintains a web ofrepresentatives throughout the country (The AARP Home Page: web). Therepresentatives are especially trained to discuss issues relevant to the elderly withgovernment officials. They also hold public issue forums on the state of nationalpolicy. Because o...
