Medicare Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for the Medicare program begins October 15, 2011 and continues to December 7, 2011. Eligible participants are encouraged to take advantage of the program; late enrollment may result in penalties.

This is the only time of the year current enrollees will have the chance to make changes to their plans. See more information here: http://www.medicare.gov/open-enrollment/index.html.

ATTENTION: Big Apple RX Free NYC Prescription Card!

Recently, Council Member Letitia James along with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs launched New York City’s first official prescription discount card – offering substantial discounts throughout the five boroughs. The BigAppleRx card will be one of the most widely distributed prescription drug discount cards in the nation, and is available to anyone regardless of age, income, citizenship or health insurance status. The cards will save an average of 47 percent on prescription medications and can be used by anyone who lives or works in the City.

All you need to do is print out the card (or card code), and use at participating pharmacies!

CM James Calls on Home Health Agencies to Restore Senior/Disability Services

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MAY 4, 2011

Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES CALLS ON HOME HEALTH AGENCIES TO IMMEDIATELY RESTORE SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED
Many have lost home care due to arbitrary, illegal decisions and are currently at grave risk

(Brooklyn, NY) Last month, the way Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) are reimbursed by Medicaid was changed. In response, CHHAs have illegally reduced the services they provide. In some cases they have stopped providing care altogether.

Regarding this sad situation, Council Member James stated, “Can you imagine being a 90-year old person, living alone, and having no one to care for you? People who had been receiving 24-hour care for years are suddenly receiving only 12 hours of care, or worse. I am appalled that this is happening in a country that prides itself on taking care of our own.”

James continued, “New York Legal Assistance Group filed a lawsuit recently, and I trust the courts will ultimately put an end to this terrible mistake. But until that happens, dozens of disabled and elderly people are in grave danger. I urge the CHHAs to immediately restore all services to those affected by their recent, arbitrary decisions. Our most vulnerable should not suffer because of greedy corporations trying to pinch pennies.”

NYLAG's press release is attached and includes stories of those actually affected by these changes, including a 90-year old holocaust survivor whose care was terminated with no notice, as well as an 87-year old with severe dementia whose care was cut in half, also without notice.

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