Release
Media Advisory: Medicare Part D is Topic of Aging Services Center Forum
Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 10, 2005)
What: The Center for Excellence in Aging Services at the University at Albany will host an event to kick-off regional efforts to educate seniors on the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit. Three levels of government will be present to discuss this new program. Event is free and open to the public.
Who:
- Michael Breslin,
Albany County Executive
- Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer
County Executive
- Susan Savage, chair,
Schenectady County Legislature
- Mary Ann Johnson,
chairman, Saratoga Board of Supervisors
- Nanci Hawver, NYS
HIICAP Coordinator, NYS Office for
the Aging
- Candy Rivera-Whitehead,
outreach representative New York State
EPIC Program
- Sue Kelly, associate
regional administrator for Medicaid
and Children's Health, Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Cheryl Adamec,
assistant district manager, Troy, NY
Field Office, Social Security Administration
- Philip McCallion, director, Center for Excellence in Aging Services, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany
When: Monday, November 14, 2005, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
9 – 9:30 — Registration
9:30 – 10 — Welcome and Introductions by Philip McCallion, director Center for Excellence in Aging Services, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany
10 – 11 — Remarks followed by questions
11 – 12:30 — Education Forum
8:30 – 12:30 — Representatives from Medicare prescription drugs plans serving the Capital Region have been invited to staff information tables in the adjacent Northeast Gallery.
Where: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Rooms 2 & 3, Albany
Background:
Enrolling and participating in Medicare Part D may seem complex, requiring both consumers and providers to spend time learning the basics of the program and how it will interface with Medicaid, Medigap, New York State’s current prescription program (EPIC), and pension-related drug coverage plans. However, the plan may be an important support for many seniors. Every senior is being encouraged to consider what it means for them, and this is event is one of a variety of training opportunities being developed to encourage participation.
The Center for Excellence develops and implements innovative
practices and policies that address the needs of aging person,
their families, and professional caregivers. The Center is committed
to excellence in teaching, scholarship and public service and
to addressing the needs of vulnerable and oppressed populations.
In pursuit of this mission, the Center and its partner, the
Center for Research in the Institute of Gerontology, work with
communities, state and local agencies, and the Legislature to
improve outcomes for the most vulnerable older persons in society.
The Center also aims to stimulate interest at local, state,
and national levels in the capacity, potential, and needs of
older persons, and to raise community awareness of the needs
and strengths of older persons from diverse cultures.