Republicans widen probe of AARP tax status

Modern Healthcare: GOP Lawmakers Press AARP Tax-Status Challenge
House Republicans sent new details to the Internal Revenue Service as part of an ongoing challenge to AARP's not-for-profit tax status, following the group's leading role in pushing for enactment of the 2010 federal healthcare overhaul. The latest allegations from Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.), chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and other Republicans include the charge that the older Americans' advocacy group is not simply endorsing health insurance products but is improperly involved in the management of those plans (Daly, 12/22).

CQ HealthBeat: Republicans Add To Their Probe Of AARP's Relationship With Contractors
House Ways and Means Republicans expanded their investigation into whether AARP, the country's largest senior group, is abusing its tax-exempt status and improperly involved in its contractors' business activities. The lawmakers asked the IRS on Thursday to investigate new information about AARP's financial arrangements with UnitedHealth group and HearUSA Inc. The information comes as part of an ongoing GOP investigation into whether AARP, which represents an estimated 40 million older Americans, has financial conflicts through its insurance business operations (Ethridge, 12/22).