Columbia Health Care Consortium -Press Releases

Press releases that have been distributed in the local media are published here.

FOR RELEASE TO NEWS MEDIA week of 8/23/10

For information, contact Lynda Scheer, Program Coordinator, 828-2273

NY Connects, Columbia County To Make Presentations Sep 1 & 3

Hudson NY – NY Connects, Columbia County is a one-stop resource for referrals to long term care services for residents of any age that are in need of services due to aging or a continuing disability. Program coordinator Lynda Scheer will address seniors at two area senior centers. The first presentation will be made to the Southern Tier Seniors at the Clermont Fire House on Wednesday, September 1^st. The second presentation will address Lebanon Valley Senior Citizens at Immaculate Conception Church Hall on Friday, September 3^rd at 1:30pm. Lynda will detail how the referral service works and what services people are likely to ask about, such as home-delivered meals, home health aides, transportation, respite care and many more. For details about the program and other speaking engagements, please contact Lynda Scheer at 828-CARE (2273). NY Connects, Columbia County is coordinated by The Healthcare Consortium, Columbia County’s Rural Health Network.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/12/10

For information contact Lynda Scheer, Prescription Access Coordinator, 822-8820 ext 328, lynda@columbiahealthnet.org

Healthcare Consortium Gets Prescription Relief for Residents

Hudson NY – The Healthcare Consortium has provided prescription relief for Columbia County residents since 2006. An additional 97 applications have been processed during the 12 months ending May 31, 2010. The Healthcare Consortium Prescription Access program helped these new clients acquire 279 free or low-cost prescriptions through the Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) at major pharmaceutical companies. Prescription Access was begun in response to a recognized need for coordination of the various (PAPs) and their individualized application processes. Through April 2010 the program has processed over 650 client applications and arranged for more than 2100 prescriptions. The Prescription Access coordinator at The Healthcare Consortium helps to pull together everything that is needed to satisfy the various program requirements. Applying through a pharmaceutical company’s PA program can be an arduous process for just one medication. When it involves a client with four or five different prescriptions available through different PA programs, the coordinator must adapt to the requirements of each of the PA programs in order to get the medications ordered. It generally takes 2-3 weeks for the client to receive the meds. The Healthcare Consortium Prescription Access program is available to help Columbia County residents who are unable to get needed prescriptions.

The Healthcare Consortium also coordinates a secondary prescription access program for qualifying residents of the towns of Ancram and Copake. Funding is provided by the Foundation for Community Health in Sharon CT. In the 12-month period from 4/1/2009 through 3/31/2010, 15 residents received 48 separate medications for a total expenditure over $10,000.

For information about either program, please contact The Healthcare Consortium at 822-8820.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/3/2010

For information contact Lisa Thomas, Senior Program Director, 822-9600 or lisa@columbiahealthnet.org

Healthcare Consortium Assists Children and Adults Get Affordable Health Insurance

Hudson NY – The Covering the Uninsured program of the Healthcare Consortium assists eligible children and adults get affordable health insurance through New York State health insurance plans. The State currently offers Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid Managed Care as affordable alternatives to having limited or no health insurance for individuals and families who qualify. Child Health Plus provides comprehensive health and dental insurance benefits for children from birth through age 18. Family Health Plus also provides comprehensive health and dental insurance benefits to individuals ages 19 to 64. Medicaid Managed Care provides comprehensive health and dental insurance benefits for children and adults. Each plan has its own eligibility requirements, which trained Enrollment Counselors can review over the phone. Call 822-9600 to get information or to learn eligibility. For information about other Healthcare Consortium programs, call 822-8820 or visit www.columbiahealthnet.org.

PHOTO RELEASE 5/12/10
For information contact Bob Usis, Communications Manager, 822-8820, bob@columbiahealthnet.org

Healthcare Consortium Recognizes Contributions

The Healthcare Consortium 12^th Annual Meeting and Awards & Recognition Ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 21^st at Kozel’s Restaurant. Pictured here are the honorees at the meeting (l-r) Geraldine Nabozny, Nurse Practitioner, Columbia Memorial Hospital; Livia Clandorf, Chatham High School sophomore; Laura Churchill, Greene County Family Planning; Liane Nouri, cancer survivor and advocate; and Tony Strattman, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. Each was recognized for making a difference through their tireless efforts in support of Healthcare Consortium programs and initiatives. In addition to the awards given by The Healthcare Consortium, certificates from Assemblyman Peter D. Lopez (R, AD 127) were awarded to each of the honorees as well. Photo by Bob Usis.