Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deane Beebe
Public Affairs Director Medicare Rights Center
212-204-6219
November 5, 2007
Medicare Rights Center Seeks Consumer Action Board Members Volunteers Will Advise on Local Health Care Access and Affordability Concerns New York, NY -The Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer service organization, is expanding its national Medicare Consumer Action Board to strengthen the voice of consumers in local, state and national health care debates.
Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) members are people with Medicare who are committed to the principle that all Americans should have access to affordable, high-quality health care.
"CAB members play an invaluable role in shaping our policy position," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center. "They serve as the eyes, ears and spokespersons of people with Medicare across the nation."
CAB members serve as a voice for people with Medicare, and communicate policy positions to local communities, the media, policy makers and elected officials. The members advise the Medicare Rights Center on emerging health care concerns in their communities through regular teleconferences.
The Medicare Rights Center staff works hand-in-hand with CAB members to help them coordinate outreach and direct action efforts, from testifying at public hearings to writing letters to local papers. CAB members also attend consumer forums related to Medicare and partner with local senior and health care advocacy groups.
CAB members comprise a diverse group, representing workers and retirees from a variety of fields, including education, health care, labor organizing and the arts. Nearly all are active members of community-based groups.
The Medicare Rights Center is currently recruiting CAB members to represent the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Vermont.
CAB members must have Medicare and be some or all of the following:
- A community activist
- A member of a local and/or national group that works on Medicare-related issues
- Knows local, state and/or federal elected officials, and/or staff
- A good public speaker
- Comfortable writing articles, opinion pieces and letters to the editor
To apply or to learn more about becoming a volunteer Community Action Board member, contact CAB Coordinator Al Mendlovitz at 1-800-480-2060, ext. 6238, or amendlovitz@medicarerights.org.