zil by entering into this rare-earth market, and I think it's an important thing for the West as a whole. It would also benefit Vale as a company," Science and Technology Minister Aloizio Mercadante told the U.K. newspaper. The government has met several industrial companies to line up customers for rare earths, a group of 17 elements used in producing components for wind turbines, electric cars and computer screens, among other goods. Vale confirmed that it's looking at investing in the production of rare earths, adding that the project remains at a "preliminary stage," according to thin this one-sided report." Democrats said the report was politically motivated, noting that Republicans lauded AARP's endorsement of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which created a private Medicare drug benefit. "But now, since AARP worked to help enact health reform and will surely oppose Republican plans to convert Medicare to a voucher, privatize Social Security and block grant Medicaid, Republicans want to bring them down," said Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark of California in a statement. AARP, which had revenues of $1.4 billion in 2009, makes money from royalty payments for products it endorses, membership dues, publication advertising and grants, and uses the proceeds to support its lobbying efforts and programs, such as free tax counseling for seniors. The Republican report takes issue with the organization's reliance on royalty income from insurers, which it says comprised almost 46 percent of AARP's revenue in 2009, and its support of health care reform, which could add to profits for the group. Insurance Sales Resulting from Health Care Reform Among many provisions, health care reform will cut government subsidies of Medicare Advantage plans, which provide Medicare coverage for hospital and outpatient care and additional services. The Obama administration projects the subsidy cut will prompt seniors to buy Medigap policies, which are supplemental health insurance plans that pay for costs not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. AARP earns the largest portion of royalty income from Medicare-related insurance plans offered by UnitedHealthcare, including Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies. But financial agreements are structured differently for each, the report says. AARP earns a flat royalty fee for endorsing the insurer's Medicare Advantage plan and a per capita fee for each AARP-branded Medigap policy sold by UnitedHealthcare. When seniors migrate to Medigap plans, the report estimates AARP will earn $55 million to $166 million in 2014 alone. But in a conference call with reporters, AARP officials said revenues don't drive the group's policy positions, and that it had not studied how health care reform would impact demand for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. AARP supported the end of subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans to protect the long-term solvency of Medicare, said David Certner, the group's legal counsel and legislative policy director. About three-fourths of Medicare beneficiaries pay higher premiums in order to subsidize the one-quarter of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, he said. IRS Investigation Possible It's difficult to project how long an investigation would take if the IRS launches an inquiry. "It's certainly not something that will happen in a week," says New York University School of Law profess