Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deane Beebe
Communications Director
212-204-6219
Medicare Rights CenterOctober 26, 2005
Westchester State Legislators Sponsor Town Hall Meetings On New Medicare Drug Benefit New York, NY – Several Westchester state legislators are sponsoring six town hall meetings to help older and disabled residents Westchester, their families and caregivers learn about the new Medicare drug benefit.
The legislators have enlisted “Seniors Speaking Out on Medicare” (SOS Medicare), to present information at town hall meetings on the new drug benefit to help Westchester residents better understand it and determine if they should enroll (scroll down for a complete listing of town hall meeting dates, locations, times and sponsors).
“By sponsoring the town hall meetings, these legislators have demonstrated their solid commitment to bring consumer-friendly, unbiased information on the new drug benefit to everyone who is – or cares about – an older Westchester resident,” said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer service group that operates the SOS Medicare program under the directorship of Lois Steinberg, a Westchester resident.
“The Westchester legislators’ deep concern that their older constituents understand this complex drug benefit is commendable, and we are delighted to be partners with them in their efforts,” Mr. Hayes said.
The town hall meetings on the new Medicare drug benefit will provide Westchester residents with information on:
- how the new drug benefit will work when it becomes effective in January 2006;
- what to consider before enrolling in a drug plan;
- how to apply for “extra help” to pay for the drug benefit;
- what retirees with drug coverage from a former employer or union need to consider;
- how the new Medicare drug benefit affects older New Yorkers enrolled in EPIC, New York
- State’s prescription drug assistance program;
- how the benefit will impact people with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits; and
- how to detect drug plan marketing fraud.
Over the past four years, SOS Medicare has conducted hundreds of presentations on Medicare benefits, rights and options throughout Westchester, where older adults typically congregate such as senior centers, housing complexes, and libraries. SOS Medicare has recently expanded its services to include individual counseling to help Westchester residents determine which, if any, drug plan is best for them and apply for the “extra help” to pay for it.
The Medicare town hall meetings are made possible with the support of Senators Jeff Klein, Suzi Oppenheimer, and Nick Spano, and Assemblymembers Adam Bradley, Amy Paulin, and Gary Pretlow. SOS Medicare is funded by the Helen A. Benedict Foundation; Westchester Department of Senior Programs and Services; the Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe; Senator Nick Spano and the Westchester Democratic Assembly Delegation.
Westchester Legislators’ Town Hall MeetingsSponsors: Assemblymembers Adam Bradley and Amy Paulin
Mon., Nov. 7, 2005, 2:00 PM
Arts Council
31 Mamaroneck Ave., #3
White PlainsSponsors: Assemblymembers Amy Paulin and Gary Pretlow
Mon., Nov. 14, 2005, 12:15pm
Lake Isle 660 White Plains Rd.
EastchesterSponsor: Senator Nick Spano
Fri., Nov. 18, 2005, 1:00pm
Coyne Center
777 McLean Ave.
YonkersSponsor: Senator Jeff Klein
Sat., Nov. 19, 2005, 10:00am
Bronxville Library
201 Pondfield Rd.
BronxvilleSponsor: Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
Mon., Nov. 21, 2005, 1:00pm
Westchester Jewish Ctr.
Palmer & Rockland Ave.
MamaroneckSponsor: Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
Tues., Nov. 29, 2005, 1:00pm
Willow Towers
355 Pelham Rd.
New Rochelle