Volunteers of America Applauds President Obama and Pharmaceutical Companies on Their Deal to Expand Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage to More Older Americans
For Immediate Release:
June 22, 2009
Contact: David Burch
703-341-5054 or dburch@voa.org
Alexandria, Va. – Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s leading providers of housing and services for seniors, today applauded President Obama and the pharmaceutical industry for their efforts to expand Medicare-funded prescription drug benefits to more American seniors.
Volunteers of America National President Charles W. Gould said, “We believe a key element to successful aging is the ability to access quality healthcare while still maintaining financial independence. This partnership between the White House and the pharmaceutical companies will help seniors afford the drugs they need to stay healthy, and in the process remain active, vital members of the communities where they live.”
“It is critical that Congress pass comprehensive health care reform this year before the Baby Boom generation starts to retire in record number,” Gould continued. “We urge members of Congress to include this proposed expansion of Medicare prescription drug benefits, as well as other measures affecting seniors, as part of those reforms.”
Earlier this month, Volunteers of America launched its new Aging with Options™ initiative, which aims to transform the current senior care system by providing people with guidance and control over their care, and by allowing older Americans the freedom to receive care while living longer in their own homes.
Volunteers of America has long provided home and community based services, independent and assisted living, and nursing care to seniors. Building on this tradition, the organization’s new initiative will focus on services that are person-centered rather than facility-based. Services provided will be flexible to reflect the needs of seniors as they become less able to care for themselves while still maintaining independence. The 113 year-old organization is already the largest nonprofit provider of affordable senior housing, the fourth-largest nonprofit provider of skilled nursing care and the sixth-largest nonprofit provider of assisted living for seniors in the United States.
###
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. We offer a variety of services for older Americans, in particular, that allow them to maintain their independence and quality of life – everything from an occasional helping hand to full-time care. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.