Press Releases
2008
Statement by Robert M. Hayes, President of the Medicare Rights Center, on the Senate's Passage of the Medicare Bill, July 9, 2008
Medicare Rights Center Assails 39 Senators Who Opposed the Medicare Bill, June 27, 2008
Volunteers Needed to Teach Health Advocacy Skills and Medicare Benefits to Westchester Residents, June 17, 2008
Medicare Rights Center Urges Passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, June 11, 2008
Statement of Robert M. Hayes, President of the Medicare Rights Center,
on Proposed Regulations Governing Medicare Private Health and Prescription Drug Plans, May 8, 2008
Medicare Rights Center Seeks Consumer Action Board Members, April 8, 2008
Groups Urge Congress to Stop Overpayments to Medicare Private Health Plans, April 7, 2008
New York Eliminates Asset Test for Medicare Programs for Low-Income New Yorkers, April 2, 2008
Statement by Robert M. Hayes, President, Medicare Rights Center, on the
Release of the Medicare and Social Security Trustees Report, March 25, 2008
Paul Precht Named Medicare Rights Center
Director for Policy and Communications, March 7, 2008
Last Chance to Change Medicare Health Plans Before Lock-In on April 1, March 5, 2008
Independent Consumer Group Launches Free Interactive Resource to Help Older and Disabled Kentucky Residents Navigate Medicare, March 5, 2008
Independent Consumer Group Launches Free Interactive Resource to Help Older and Disabled Colorado Residents Navigate Medicare, February 28, 2008
President Bush Puts Health of Americans with Medicare in Jeopardy
While Overpaying Medicare Private Insurers, February 15, 2008
Statement on Proposed Medicare Cuts in President George Bush’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, February 4, 2008
Governor Spitzer Applauded for Proposing to Eliminate the Asset Test for Medicare Programs for New Yorkers with Low-Incomes, January 22, 2008
2007
Bruce Vladeck Elected President of Medicare Rights Center Board of Directors, December 17, 2007
State Could Save Millions on Prescription Drugs by Making It Possible for More Low-Income, Elderly New Yorkers to Get Medicare Drug Subsidy, December 13, 2007
Lois Steinberg Inducted Into Westchester Senior Citizen Hall of Fame, November 30, 2007
Governor Spitzer Urged to Expand New York State's Pharmaceutical Assistance Program to New Yorkers with Severe Disabilities, November 29, 2007
Federal Court Suit Filed to Lift Medicare
Coverage Bar on Off-Label, "Medically Necessary" Drugs, November 26, 2007
Consumers Should Review Their Current Medicare Private Drug Plans' Costs and Benefits and Compare All Their Drug Plan Options for 2008, November 9, 2007
Independent Consumer Group Launches Free Interactive Resource to Help Older and Disabled South Carolina Residents Navigate Medicare, November 6, 2007
Medicare Rights Center Seeks Consumer Action Board Members, November 5, 2007
Report: Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable than Current Private Insurance-Run Drug Benefit, October 23, 2007
Randi Weingarten, President, United Federation of Teachers, and FJC, a Foundation of Philanthropic Funds, Honored at Medicare Rights Center Celebration Dinner, October 19, 2007
Consumer Group Testifies that CMS’ Lax Oversight of Medicare Private Health Plans Results in Significantly More Out-of-Pocket Costs for Americans with Medicare, October 16, 2007
Hundreds of Thousands of Americans to Lose Medicare Premium Assistance, Unless Congress Acts Immediately, September 26, 2007
Review Your 2008 Medicare Health Plan Options, Since Most Private Health Plans' Costs and Benefits Change from Year to Year, Consumer Group Advises, September 25, 2007
Standardizing Medicare Private Health Plans' Benefits Will Allow Informed Consumer Choices, Consumer Groups Report, September 13, 2007
Overpayments to Medicare Private Health Plans Fail to Ensure Better Benefits in Poor and Minority Communities, Consumer Group Reports, September 6, 2007
Consumers Deceived By Medicare Private Health Plans Are Free To Leave Plans, August 6, 2007
Americans with Medicare Private Drug Benefit Denied Access to Medications Prescribed for “Off Label” Use, August 2, 2007
CMS Regulates Private Health Plan Marketing Reluctantly and Inadequately, Congress Must Protect Americans with Medicare from Plan Marketing Abuse, Consumer Groups Report, July 30, 2007
National Hotline Expands to Assist Professionals with Clients' Full Array of Medicare Questions and Problems, July 18, 2007
Volunteers Needed to Teach Health Advocacy Skills and Medicare Benefits to Westchester Residents, July 12, 2007
Consumer Protections Sorely Lacking for Older and Disabled Americans Enrolled in Medicare Private Drug Plans, Consumer Group Testifies, June 21, 2007
Statement on Congressional Actions that Would Put an End to Medicare Private Health Plans' Abusive Marketing Practices, May 22, 2007
Statement from Robert M. Hayes on Medicare Private Health Plans' Marketing Tactics, May 16, 2007
Unexpected Costs and Obstacles to Care Are Common Experiences for Americans Enrolled in Medicare Private Health Plans, Consumer Service Group Reports, April 25, 2007
Statement from Robert M. Hayes, president, Medicare Rights Center, on the Medicare Trustees Report, April 23, 2007
U.S. Senate Must Allow Medicare to Negotiate Prescription Drugs Prices, April 13, 2007
Americans with Disabilities Suffer without Health Care and Incur Debt During Two-Year Wait for Medicare Coverage, Report Finds, April 11, 2007
Older and Disabled Americans Fall Prey to Private Insurers’ Aggressive Marketing Tactics, January 29, 2007
Consumer Groups Counter PhRMA Myth that “All is well with Medicare Part D”, January 19, 2007
Abbott Laboratories Gouge Medicare and Taxpayers, Consumer Groups Report, January 11, 2007
2006
New Yorkers Enrolled in Medicare Private Drug Plans Must Decide Now if They Need to Switch to a Different Plan for 2007, December 5, 2006
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Urged To Act Now to Avoid Chaos at the Pharmacy for Over a Million Low-Income Older and Disabled Americans in the New Year, November 28, 2006
Independent Resources from Consumer Group Provide Answers to Questions about the Medicare Drug Benefit, November 6, 2006
Medicare Private Drug Plans Fail to Offer Accurate Information to Consumers, New Report Finds, October 12, 2006
Medicare Private Drug Plans’ Utilization Restrictions on Mental Health Drugs Disrupt Treatment Regimens, Study Finds, September 28, 2006
Private Medicare Drug Plans Provide Insufficient “Medication Therapy Management,” Putting Older and Disabled Americans at Risk for Hospitalization and Institutionalization, September 15, 2006
Panel to Discuss Medication Therapy Management for People with Medicare, September 13, 2006
Complexity of Medicare Drug Benefit is Hazardous to Health, Expert Testifies at House Paperwork Reduction Hearing, July 18, 2006
Volunteers Needed to Teach Health Care Advocacy Skills to Westchester Residents, July 13, 2006
New “Lock-In” Law Threatens Older and Disabled Americans’ Access to Health Care, June 29, 2006
Program Launched in Bronx to Help People with Medicare Lower Prescription Drug Costs, June 23, 2006
Over One Million People with Severe Disabilities Stranded Without Medicare Coverage, June 9, 2006
End Drug Plan “Lock-In” for Americans Enrolled in Medicare-Approved Drug Plans that Refuse to Cover Needed Medications, Consumer Group Says, May 19, 2006
Low-Income New Yorkers Who Missed Medicare’s Drug Benefit Deadline Can Still Get Coverage, May 17, 2006
The Truth on Part D Enrollment, May 10, 2006
Medicare Rights Center’s Congressional Testimony Outlines Eight Point Plan to Improve Medicare Drug Benefit, May 3, 2006
Statement on Enrollment in Medicare Private Drug Plans, April 20, 2006
Secretary Leavitt Can and Should Eliminate the Drug Benefit Enrollment Deadline, Consumer Group Reports, April 13, 2006
Comment on Enrollment In Medicare Private Drug Plans, March 23, 2006
Medicare Private Drug Plans’ Appeals Process Failing, Leaving Older and Disabled Americans with Prescriptions Unfilled, March 15, 2006
Most People Bush Administration Claims to Have Medicare Drug Benefit Already Had Drug Coverage, February 17, 2006
New York State Assembly and Senate Enact Safety Net for People with Medicaid Who Were Transitioned to Medicare Drug Coverage but Cannot Get their Prescriptions Filled, February 7, 2006
Fewer than Ten Percent of New Yorkers Eligible for Subsidy to Pay for Medicare Drug Benefit Have Enrolled, February 7, 2006
Private Drug Plans Impede Older and Disabled Americans Ability to Get Prescriptions Filled, February 6, 2006
Governor Pataki Urged to End Public Health Emergency for Poor, Older and Disabled New Yorkers who Lost Access to Medications in the New Year, January 10, 2006
2005
Judge Rules that Court Lacks Power to Protect Drug Access for 6.2 Million Impoverished People with Medicare, December 30, 2005
Statement on New Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment, December 22, 2005
"888-RX-LINCS" Launched to Help New Yorkers Get Subsidy to Pay for Medicare Drug Benefit, December 19, 2005
Advocates for Older New Yorkers Call for White House Conference on Aging to Support Medicare Drug Benefit Changes and Affirm a Guaranteed Social Security Benefit, December 12, 2005
Consumers Have Inadequate Protections Against Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Problems, December 8, 2005
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Join Call to Protect Impoverished Americans from Going without Medications When Transitioned to Medicare Drug Coverage, December 6, 2005
National Hotline Launched for Professionals Assisting Clients with New Medicare Drug Benefit, November 28, 2005
Lawsuit Seeks Injunction to Protect Poorest Americans from “Calamitous Consequences” of New Medicare Drug Program, November 14, 2005
Westchester State Legislators Sponsor Town Hall Meetings On New Medicare Drug Benefit, October 26, 2005
Avoid Bush Administration’s “Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder,” Consumer Group Warns, October 20, 2005
Medicare Premium Assistance Program Expires Tonight, Unless Congress Acts, September 30, 2005
Statement Regarding 2006 Medicare Part B Premium Hike, September 21, 2005
6.4 Million Americans at Risk of “Catastrophic Human Consequences” Caused By Medicare Drug Transition, September 29, 2005
Plea to Congress and White House to Launch Disaster Relief Medicare for Gulf States, September 2, 2005
Medicare Rights Center Wins Web Award, August 31, 2005
Volunteers Needed for Medicare Rights Center's New York State Hotline, August 18, 2005
New Medicare Drug Benefit Threatens Stability of Patients on Psychiatric Medications, New Report Finds, August 15, 2005
Take Care of Your Heart: Get a Free Heart Disease Screening, August 15, 2005
National Health Care Groups Augment Websites with New Medicare Counseling Tool, August 12, 2005
Drug Coverage 101: Everything You Need to Know About the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, July 29, 2005
Five Tips on Getting Extra Help to Pay for the New Medicare Drug Benefit, July 8, 2005
Congress and Administration Constrain Doctors’ Ability to Prescribe Appropriate Medications for Older and Disabled Americans under New Medicare Drug Benefit, May 27, 2005
Statement on New, Medicare National Coverage Criteria of Power WheelChairs and Other Mobility Equipment, May 6, 2005
Consumers Fear a Medicare Drug Debacle, Consumer Group Reports, May 2, 2005
Get Help Paying for the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, April 26, 2005
Medicare Premiums on the Rise: Five Tips to Save Money on Your Health Care, April 19, 2005
April is Cancer Control Month: Take Advantage of Medicare’s Cancer Screenings, March 3, 2005
6.4 Million People with Medicare Face Risk of Losing Prescription Drug Access Under the Medicare Drug Bill, March 2, 2005
Statement Regarding GAO’s Study on Access to Doctors for People with Medicare Fee-for-Service Coverage, February 9, 2005
Statement on CMS Release of Proposed New Wheelchair Coverage Standards, February 4, 2005
Nearly 750,000 Older and Disabled Americans Pay Lifetime Medicare Penalties Due to Confusion about Enrolling, February 3, 2005
Medicare Rights Center Launches Online Advocacy Network to Mobilize Americans to Speak Out About Problems Accessing Health Care, January 31, 2005
Consumer Group Supports the Implementation of a Prescription Drug Discount Card for New York City Residents, January 26, 2005
Statement on CMS Release of Final Regulations on Medicare Drug Benefit, January 21, 2005
New Medicare Drug Benefit Threatens Over Six Million Poor Americans with Loss of Medications, Consumer Group Reports, January 6, 2005
Free E-Newsletter Helps People Prepare for Medicare’s New Drug Benefit, January 3, 2005
2004
Patients’ Access to Critical Drugs at Risk, Consumer Group Finds, December 23, 2004
Take Care of Your Heart: Get a Free Cardiovascular Disease Screening, December 21, 2004
Medicare in 2005: Increased Costs for Everyone and a Few New Benefits that May Help Some, Decmeber 14, 2004
Statement on GAO Report about Accuracy of Medicare’s Helpline, December 8, 2004
Drug Assistance Programs Underutilized by Americans with Low Incomes, November 19, 2004
Low-Income Americans to Lose Benefit that Pays Medicare Premium Unless Congress Acts Quickly, November 16, 2004
Eligible New Yorkers Must Act Quickly to Get $1200 Credit toward Prescription Drugs, November 15, 2004
Survey Reveals Stark Differences between Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Health Care Reforms for Older and Disabled Americans and the Uninsured, October 8, 2004
Proposed Medicare Regulations Highlight Major Failings of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, October 6, 2004
Low-Income Americans to Lose Benefit that Pays Medicare Premium Unless Congress Acts Quickly, September 23, 2004
Medicare Consumer Advocates Share Advice on Saving Money on Health Care Expenses, September 13, 2004
Senate Finance Staff Counsel Joins Medicare Rights Center, September 7, 2004
Statement Regarding 2005 Medicare Part B Premium Hike, September 3, 2004
Medicare E-Newsletter Provides Answers and Alleviates Consumer Confusion, Survey Finds, August 16, 2004
New Director to Head Medicare Rights Center’s Washington Office, August 11, 2004
Survey Finds that Kerry and Edwards Agree That Government Should Negotiate with Drug Companies for Lower Prices, August 10, 2004
Drug Discount Card Training Program Available to Professionals Who Advise People with Medicare, August 10, 2004
Statement Regarding Pfizer's Initiative to Expand Access to Its Medications, July 7, 2004
Trent Lott Receives Medicare Rights Center’s “Health Policy Independence Award”: Senator Recognized for Supporting Drug Reimportation Despite Earlier Objections, July 2, 2004
People Receiving Medicare Drug Discount Card Subsidy at Risk of Losing Federal Housing Assistance, Consumer Groups Warn: Federal Court will be Asked to Step In Unless HUD Complies with New Medicare Law, June 30, 2004
Consumer Group Offers Much-Needed Resources to Professionals Serving People with Medicare, June 7, 2004
Automatic-Enrollment in Medicare’s Drug Discount Card Program Needed, Consumer Group Advises, May 25, 2004
Medicare Preventive Care Benefits Underutilized, May 17, 2004
Overpayments to Private Plans in Medicare, May 13, 2004
Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards Compared to Other Drug-Savings Options, April 29, 2004
Medicare-Sponsored Drug Discount Cards: Choice or Challenge?, April 5, 2004
Statement Regarding Medicare Trustees Annual Report, March 23, 2004
As Retirement Age Increases, People May Experience Gaps in Health Coverage, March 23, 2004
Medicare Wheelchair Coverage Rules “Imprison” People with Disabilities, March 22, 2004
Consumer Advocates Arm Older Adults with Tips for Avoiding Medicare Drug Discount Card Fraud, March 3, 2004
New Medicare Law Creates Discount Drug Card Confusion, February 10, 2004
Medicare Counseling and Assistance Helpline Cannot Keep Up With Demand, February 5, 2004
Buyer Beware: Medicare Private Plans Luring Potential Enrollees, February 2, 2004
Presidential Candidates Respond to Medicare Rights Center Questionnaire, January 16, 2004
Statement Regarding CMS's Announcement about Higher Payments to Private Health Plans, January 16, 2004
Free, Consumer E-Newsletter Helps Shed Light on New Drug Benefit and Other Medicare Benefits, January 12, 2004
2003
Organización de consumidores presenta “Lo que Usted Debe Saber Sobre la Nueva Ley de Medicare” para personas de la tercera edad y sus familiares, December 16, 2003
Statement on Medicare Overhaul Bill Being Signed into Law, December 8, 2003
Statement on the Passage of the Medicare Overhaul Bill, November 25, 2003
Statement Regarding the Medicare Overhaul Bill "Compromise," November 14, 2003
Medicare Therapy Cap Being Felt, November 11, 2003
Medicare Private Plan Overpayments: An Anti-Competitive Practice that Hurts Medicare, October 24, 2003
MRC Statement on Conference Committee’s Tentative Agreement on the Medicare Low-income Prescription Drug Benefit, October 22, 2003
Host the Dinner Party of a Lifetime, Star Scholar, Star Chef Team Up to Support the Medicare Rights Center, October 22, 2003
Congress Should Legalize Importation of Drugs from Canada to Ensure Americans’ Safety and Access to Low-Cost Medications, October 16, 2003
Proposals Under Consideration for Medicare Bill Would Worsen Health Care for Older and Disabled Americans, Consumer Group Warns Congress, October 13, 2003
Health of People with Both Medicare and Medicaid at Risk if Access to Medicare Drug Benefit Denied, October 9, 2003
Federal Judge Upholds Limits on Medicare-Covered Therapy, September 29, 2003
Court Expected To Rule on Medicare Therapy Coverage Cap By Month’s End, September 26, 2003
Lower-Westchester Program Seeks Volunteers to Assist Residents Through Medicare Maze, September 16, 2003
Court Promises Quick Decision on Medicare Therapy Coverage Cap -- Ruling Due Thursday at 10, September 15, 2003
Consumer Groups Urge Congress Not to Exclude Poor People from Medicare Drug Benefit, September 8, 2003
Consumer Group Demands Repeal of Medicare Therapy Coverage Cap -- Administration Has Breached Settlement Agreement, August 29, 2003
More Than 140,000 Low-Income Americans to Lose Medicare Benefit Unless Congress Acts Quickly, August 22, 2003
Consumer Group’s Examination of Medicare Bills Concludes House Bill Would Threaten Traditional Medicare and Both Bills Offer Little Relief from High Drug Costs, July 18, 2003
Moratorium on Medicare Physical Therapy Cap, July 3, 2003
Questions and Concerns about Drug Plans, Depending on Three Sets of Circumstances, June 26, 2003
Robert M. Hayes, President of the Medicare Rights Center, Made the Following Statement Regarding the United States House of Representative's Medicare Reform Bill, June 25, 2003
Consumer Group Urges Congress to Provide Adequate Funding to Educate Consumers on Medicare Drug Benefit Options, June 13, 2003
Questions for Congress Regarding the Senate Finance Committee's Proposal for a Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, June 10, 2003
On Behalf of Millions Nationwide, Nearly One Hundred Organizations Urge Congress to Pass Drug Benefit for Everyone with Medicare, May 20, 2003
Medicare Rights Center reaction to decision by the Supreme Court of the United States rejecting PHARMA challenge to Maine Rx program, May 19, 2003
Annual Benefit Supports Health Care for Older and Disabled Americans, May 12, 2003
Consumer Group Calls on Congress to Revise Medicare Policies that Discriminate Against People with Mental Illness, May 2, 2003
Low-Income, Medicare Drug Benefit Will Not Provide Relief to Millions Targeted for Assistance, Consumer Group Warns Congress, April 30, 2003
Hundreds of Thousands of Older and Disabled New Yorkers Are Not Accessing Health Care Benefits, April 23, 2003
National Consumer Group Calls on Secretary Thompson to Reinstate Healthy Maine Program, April 15, 2003
Medicare Training Manual and Reference Guide Revised and Expanded to Include Information on Home Health and Skilled Nursing Benefits, April 7, 2003
Diane Archer Receives 2003 Distinguished Service Award from Sadin Institute on Law at the Brookdale Center on Aging of Hunter College, March 6, 2003
Consumer Group's Free Newsletters Arm Seniors and People with Disabilities with Helpful Health Care Information, January 30, 2003
Statement by Robert M. Hayes, President of the Medicare Rights Center, Regarding President Bush's Plan to Turn the Medicare Program Over to For-Profit Insurance Companies, January 28, 2003
More Than 120,000 Low-Income Americans to Lose Medicare Benefit Unless Congress Acts Quickly, January 17, 2003
2002
As Congress Slashes Medicare Spending, Older and Disabled Americans Must Be Savvy Health Care Consumers, December 31, 2002
Caregivers Sacrifice Their Own Health and Income to Assist Family and Friends, December 18, 2002
Medicare Rights Center Launches Consumer Advisory Board, December 3, 2002
Regulatory Reform Advisory Committee Adjourns with Recommendations that Reflect Insufficient Consumer Input, November 21, 2002
Most People with Medicare Want a Choice of Health Care Providers Not Health Care Plans, Poll Finds, November 14, 2002
Consumer Advocacy Organization Launches Free E-Newsletter for People with Medicare and their Caregivers, November 5, 2002
Social Security Administration Reverses Course and Agrees to Send Low-Income People with Medicare Corrected Letter about Eligibility for Federal Health Care Assistance, October 31, 2002
Social Security Administration Sued for Misleading Low-Income People with Medicare of Eligibility for $648 Annual Savings, October 22, 2002
Statement from MRC's President Regarding the 2003 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles, October 18, 2002
Deck Stacked to Help Seniors Maximize Medicare Benefits, September 30, 2002
MRC President’s Response to HMOs Withdrawing from Medicare, September 9, 2002
Americans Facing Increased Difficulty Finding Doctors Who Accept Medicare, Survey Finds, August 21, 2002
Bush Administration Misinforms Over a Million Low-Income and Older New Yorkers about Right to Assistance for Medicare Premiums, July 14, 2002
Health Care Consumer Group Sues Federal Department for Release of Information, July 12, 2002
Private Insurers Are Not Willing or Able to Provide Prescription Drug Insurance to People with Medicare, Consumer Advocates Warn Congress, May 13, 2002
Health Advocates Advise Expanding Medicare Part B to Include Prescription Drugs, April 17, 2002
New Income Limits for Medicare Savings Programs Announced, March 12, 2002
Older and Disabled Americans Are Unaware of New Rule Locking Them into Health Plans, February 28, 2002
Volunteers Needed as Telephone Counselors for People with Medicare, February 19, 2002
Questions for President Bush About His Medicare Proposal, February 4, 2002
Student Volunteers Needed as Telephone Counselors for People with Medicare Problems, January 28, 2002
Medicare Rights Center Calls for Congressional Probe of Drug Pricing Policies in Response to Pfizer's New Program to Help Low-Income Seniors Get Access to Company's Prescription Drugs, January 15, 2002
Consumer Health Advocates Call for More Consumer Representation on Health and Human Services' New Regulatory Reform Committee, January 10, 2002
Westchester Seniors Help Seniors Through Medicare Maze, January 8, 2002
1996-2001
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