Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Aging

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Media Advisories

Medicare’s Healthier US Starts Here Initiative Kicks off in Flushing Meadows, New York

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Contact: Jeffrey Hall
(212) 616-2249

May is Older Americans Month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will join U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging, Josefina G. Carbonell, and New York City Commissioner for the Aging, Edwin Méndez-Santiago and other city, state, local and federal officials to educate New Yorkers about the importance of preventing chronic disease and illness by taking advantage of screenings and preventive benefits offered through Medicare. CMS wants to encourage beneficiaries to take control of their health and talk with their healthcare providers about preventive services available to them. Throughout the spring and summer, CMS will work with various health organizations at health events and community forums to provide information on preventive services and learn about the services they may be eligible to receive to manage their healthcare.

BACKGROUND:

Medicare covers many important screenings and other preventive benefits to help people with Medicare live healthier and more active lives. As part of the Healthier US Starts Here initiative, Medicare and its partners will raise awareness of the importance of preventing chronic disease and illness like heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. The Medicare tour bus will visit each of the 48 continental states over the course of this spring and summer, bringing spokespersons to work with community partners, city and State leaders, and disease prevention advocates involved in these initiatives. People with Medicare will be asked to take action, talk to their healthcare providers and visit www.mymedicare.gov to learn more about preventive services they are eligible to receive and access tools to help manage their healthcare.

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The AoA is a Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers through the national aging network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal organizations, service providers and volunteers.

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