the make medicare work coalition governors conference on aging december 2009
TRANSCRIPT
The Make Medicare Work Coalition
Governor’s Conference on Aging
December 2009
Make Medicare Work Coalition Created as a collaboration to address and
influence the impact of Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) on people in Illinois
Brings together aging and disability service providers
Marries education/outreach with policy advocacy
Targets underserved groups
MMW Funders
The Chicago Community Trust
Michael Reese Health Trust
The Retirement Research Foundation
With additional support from the National Council on Aging
Who We Are: Leadership AgeOptions Progress Center for Independent
Living
Health & Disability Advocates
Who We Are: Participants More than 260 organizations (600+ people)
Aging and disability service providers and advocates• Healthcare providers, social service agencies, disease-
specific groups, ethnically-based agencies, senior/community centers, housing, advocacy groups, local governments/ municipalities, pharmacy groups, elected officials, faith-based organizations, academic centers, schools of pharmacy and medicine, nutrition networks.
State and federal agencies
Policy and research groups
What We Do
Gather and create accurate, practical, unbiased, accessible information and materials
Educate Medicare consumers, service providers and policymakers
Provide training and technical support for professionals and volunteers
Bring “field experience” to policymakers Advocate for laws and policies that assure affordable access
to comprehensive drug coverage for all people with Medicare Target underserved groups
MMW Materials
Bulletins and Alerts Topical Briefs Q & A for coalition member newsletters E-News Fact sheets/ counseling tools for service
providers Educational pieces for people with Medicare
and flyers inviting them to get help
MMW Meetings and Trainings
Annual Summit
Quarterly In-Person Meetings
Phone Conferences
Policy Meetings, Work Group Meetings or Phone Calls
Trainings
Success Factors – Why the MMW Works
Everyone participates at their own level Strong shared mission – leave politics at the
door Support from state and federal agencies –
communication channel that reaches beyond traditional networks
Materials are practical and as simple as possible• Plain language
• Includes the “so what”
Some MMW Accomplishments: Education and Outreach
Directly reached over 350,000 and indirectly reached another 250,000 Medicare consumers
Presented at 3,000+ group education events attended by 150,000 Medicare consumers
Reached about 10,000 professionals and volunteers through training events
Directly assisted about 25,000 people to enroll in Part D and assisted with more than 80,000 applications for other benefits
Some MMW Accomplishments: Policy
Early in Part D rollout
• Development of Illinois Cares Rx
• Advocacy with Governor’s Office to provide emergency coverage during initial roll-out of Part D
First legislation in nation to convert persons on ADAP to a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
Expansion of Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
Invited to testify before U.S. Congress on Medicare Part D “extra help” – disability perspective
Advocated extensively for continued coverage of Medicare beneficiaries by drug manufacturer patient assistance programs through Town Hall Meetings and testimony
MMW Advocacy and Policy in 2009
HB 366 - Illinois Cares Rx (ICRx)
• one program for everyone with Medicare (seniors and disabled)
• Increased income eligibility limits for all
• Circuit Breaker and ICRx income limits the same
Allow Medicare beneficiaries who work and “medically improve” to maintain healthcare coverage.
MMW Education and Outreach in 2010
Maintain and grow the Coalition
Find and reach underserved populations (low income, safety net provider users, Deaf or hard-of-hearing, mental health/psychiatric service consumers, limited–English speakers)
Provide information and technical support through the Resource Center
2010 Advocacy Issues More efficient and effective enrollment and re-enrollment
procedures for Illinois Cares Rx
Coordinate with state on outreach strategies for Medicare Savings Programs and new ICRx benefits/income limits
Assure Illinois Medicare beneficiaries are represented in national discussions on healthcare reform
Medicare coverage for hearing aids
1-800-Medicare Advocacy
Better coordination between state and federal on communications to consumers.
