Final answer:
AARP Medigap plans are designed for those 65 and older eligible for Medicare, which insures about 40 million seniors. AARP is an advocacy group that works to influence healthcare policy and Social Security. They also play a significant role in political processes, evidenced by high voter turnouts among seniors.
Step-by-step explanation:
All AARP Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) plans are available to consumers age 65 and older who qualify for Medicare, a government program that provides health insurance to these individuals. As of the early 2000s, around 40 million people in the United States were eligible for Medicare.
Importantly, this demographic is not only significant in size but also influential as an interest group. They contribute to political campaigns, and their turnout in elections like those in 2012 and 2020 has been notably high compared to younger age groups.
Other government-funded health-care programs target specific groups, including military veterans and children from families with low incomes.
Medicare's creation and expansion have often been central to the platforms of different political parties, with groups like the AARP engaging in advocacy to shape these policies.
Despite its complex relationship with political parties, AARP's main aims have historically included lowering health care costs and ensuring the security of Social Security pension payments.