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| Date Posted |
April 12, 2006 |
| News Title |
Helping Those Who Need Help: Rainbow PUSH Coalition and United Health Foundation Convene Experts for Medicare Drug Forum |
| Posted By |
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| Article Options |
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CHICAGO - (April 12, 2006) – “The new Medicare drug benefit can be very confusing – but if you do it right, you can benefit.”
That’s how Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, regards the situation facing many elderly, poor and disabled people who are confused by the new Medicare prescription drug options. As the May 15th enrollment deadline looms, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition is partnering with the United Health Foundation to offer educational sessions for caregivers, ministers, family members, and others who are called on to help Medicare beneficiaries understand the new prescription drug benefit.
The first educational forum will be held on Saturday, April 15 in Chicago. Rev. Jackson will be joined by Dr. Reed Tuckson, MD, vice president of the United Health Foundation; Michele Goodwin, professor of law and medicine at DePaul University in Chicago and other leading healthcare experts. The luncheon forum will begin at 11:30 a.m., immediately following the internationally-televised Saturday Morning Forum at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, located at 930 E. 50th Street, in Chicago. During the 10 a.m. Saturday Morning Forum, Rev. Jackson and healthcare experts will discuss the new Medicare drug benefit.
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This discussion will continue during the educational forum where panelists will address various aspects of the new Medicare drug benefit, with individualized help available during the session. Participation is expected from churches, rehabilitation and assisted-living facilities, local pharmacists, advocacy groups and community-based organizations.
Rev. Jackson noted that there are components of the new Medicare drug program that are not working as well as expected, and more needs to be done for the new drug benefit to be considered a success. “There are individuals, including those coming into the Medicare drug program from Medicaid, for whom we need to do more to guarantee uninterrupted access to the prescription drugs they need. However, we realize that people can benefit from the new drug options and we are committed to doing all that we can to help.”
The May 15 enrollment deadline is fast approaching, said Fannie Smith, Midwest regional coordinator for the Rainbow PUSH 1000 Churches Connected program. “Even if people are not now taking a lot of prescription medications,” Smith explained, “it’s a good idea to get enrolled should your drug needs change in the future.”
Dr. Tuckson said, “The United Health Foundation applauds the Rainbow PUSH Coalition for its leadership and commitment to educating individuals about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. I look forward to joining Rev. Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago and participating in this important nationwide effort.” In addition to Chicago, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition plans to convene Medicare events in New York, NY; Cleveland, OH; and Los Angeles, CA.
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