Action Alert: EPIC for People with Disabilities

[Guest guest]

Subject: Action Alert: EPIC for People with DisabilitiesMAY 18TH IS "EPIC FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES" CALL IN DAYTo date, the NY State Assembly and Senate have failed to correct EPIC'sexclusion of non-elderly people with disabilities. Disability groups want to give both houses the chance to get this rightand May 18th - "Disability Awareness Day" would be the day to do it. Weneed your help to be sure that they hear this message.On May 18th, please call your individual Assembly members and Senatorswith the following message:"People with disabilities can't wait any longer for EPIC. We needEPIC's protections right now! Pass A. 3074/S. 1357 today!" If you do not know who represents you, you can look about yourrepresentatives at http://www.capwiz.com/etp/state/main/?state=NYThen call Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver at 518-455-3791 and SenateMajority Leader ph Bruno at 518-455-3191 with the same message.Background: The Elderly Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (EPIC) offers prescriptiondrug coverage to low and moderate income senior citizens. Today over346,000 seniors get help from EPIC--but people with disabilities werenever included even though they also struggle to pay for prescriptiondrugs. There is no rational policy basis for EPIC's exclusion of peoplewith disabilities. With the addition of Medicare Part D in 2006, NewYork will have the savings to include people with disabilities in thisprogram.Act now to help New Yorkers with disabilities get affordableprescription drugs!