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Pfizer Inc announced today that it will launch an innovative program to help eligible unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their health insurance maintain access to their Pfizer medicines for free.  The inspiration for the new program, called MAINTAIN™ (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need), was generated by Pfizer employees who were witnessing friends, family and neighbors struggle to make ends meet after losing their jobs. 

“We all know people who have been laid off recently and have lost their health insurance, making it difficult for them to pay for health care,” said Dr. Jorge Puente, Pfizer’s regional president of Worldwide Pharmaceuticals, a leading champion of the initiative.  “We thought there must be some way we could help recently unemployed people who are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment during these challenging economic times.”

The program, which applies regardless of prior family income, will be open for enrollment through December 31, 2009 and applies to eligible Americans who have become unemployed since January 1, 2009. It is designed to help recently unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their insurance and who are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment for free for up to one year. Nearly 46 million Americans lack health insurance coverage, and that number is increasing as unemployment rates reach their highest levels in 25 years.

Pfizer employees proposed the idea of MAINTAIN to the company’s senior leadership team just within the last month.  Pfizer employees also asked to be able to do their part by donating their own money to the program, and the Pfizer Foundation will match their donations. 

“The current economic environment has added considerable new stress to the daily life of millions of hard-working Americans, and our colleagues are responding to help their neighbors in the communities where they reside,” said Jeffrey B. Kindler, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer. “The speed with which we created and approved this program is proof of our commitment to help people access the medicines they need to live healthier lives.  With the launch of this initiative, which I am proud to say was proposed by our colleagues, we are doing what we can to ensure that recent loss of employment does not preclude people from managing their health.” 

Eligibility requirements of the new program include:

• Loss of employment since January 1, 2009
• Prescribed and taking a Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months prior to becoming unemployed and enrolling in the program
• Lack of prescription drug coverage
• Can attest to financial hardship

People who qualify will receive their Pfizer medicines for free for up to 12 months or until they become re-insured (whichever comes first). More than 70 Pfizer primary care medicines will be available through the program.

To make it easy for people to apply, the program will be integrated into Pfizer’s existing family of patient assistance programs called Pfizer Helpful Answers®.  A single point of entry makes it easy to get help:

• All of Pfizer’s patient assistance programs, including the new program, can be reached by calling a single phone number (1-866-706-2400) or by visiting www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com
• Those who contact Pfizer Helpful Answers in need of medicines made by another company will be directed to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a pharmaceutical industry initiative that serves to raise awareness of, and boost enrollment in, more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs. 

The new program will be fully operational on July 1, 2009.  However, people in need now can call 1-866-706-2400 for help. MAINTAIN is a part of Pfizer Helpful Answers, a joint program of Pfizer Inc and the Pfizer Patient Assistance Foundation.

 

To download a program flyer (MS Word)

About Pfizer Helpful Answers®
Pfizer Helpful Answers is a family of patient assistance programs for the uninsured and underinsured who need help getting Pfizer medicines.  Today, it is the largest and most extensive initiative in the U.S. Pfizer Helpful Answers provides Pfizer medicines for free or at a savings to patients who qualify.  Some programs also offer reimbursement support services for people with insurance.  Pfizer Helpful Answers is a joint program of Pfizer Inc and the Pfizer Patient Assistance Foundation™.

It is with great pleasure that I would like to introduce to you Project BRAIN’s newest team member, Wanda M. Baker.  Jennifer and I welcomed Wanda to our team on June 16, 2009 as the new full-time Resource Specialist & Trainer covering the West Tennessee Region. 

With over 15 years of experience, Wanda is bringing her education and passion to this position.  She has an Associate of Science Degree from Shelby State Community College and holds a Bachelors of Art Degree in the field of Social Work.

To speak with Wanda, she can be reached at (901) 813-8595 or wanda_b@tndisability.org.

As this program continues to meet the needs of our students, we appreciate the valuable relationships that have been nurtured over the years; we are all pieces of the puzzle!  As the Coalition so-often states:

Warmly,

Paula Denslow,

Project BRAIN Coordinator

The National Network of ADA Centers announces new episodes on the Disability Law Lowdown website at ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com. The first video podcast series in American Sign Language bring a new level of service to the Deaf community by expanding traditional audio-only podcasts to include video that allows subscribers too see native Deaf speakers signing the show’s content. 

The podcasts deliver the latest in disability law information via American Sign Language, captioning, voice-over, and transcripts to maximize accessibility. Free subscriptions to the ASL podcasts are available to have shows automatically delivered to MP3 players. The ASL podcasts are also available on the Disability Law Lowdown website, where transcripts of the shows are simultaneously available. For the fastest viewing visit: www.youtube.com/disabilitylawlowdown.

Topics currently available include: Tax Incentives, Voting Rights, Ticket to Work, Housing, Your Rights with Law Enforcement, Workplace Accommodations, Your Legal Rights as a College Student, Legal Obligations of the Hospitality Industry, Requesting an Interpreter, and an Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Disability Law Lowdown is provided by the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), a national network of ten ADA Centers across the country, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. To reach the center that serves your area call 1-800-949-4232 v/tty. To subscribe, look for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown podcast on iTunes, or visit ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com.

Source: 
Jacquie Brennan
DBTAC Southwest ADA Center
713-520-0232, jbrennan@bcm.edu

AT&T Tennessee today delivered a check for $466,628 to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority for the Tennessee Relay Service and the Telecommunications Devices Access Program.  TRS and TDAP are services administered by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority to provide free or low cost services for qualifying Tennesseans with disabilities.   

“Relay service and TDAP are critical programs for deaf and hard of hearing Tennesseans,” said Mr. Howell Hathorne, President of Chattanooga's Speech and Hearing Center.  “As the primary underwriter of these services, AT&T continues to be a leader in providing communications services to Tennesseans with disabilities.”

Tennessee Relay Service is a service to Tennessee's deaf, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing and speech-impaired community and provides free, statewide assisted telephone service to those with speech, hearing, and visual impairments.  The program operates under contract by GoAmerica and is regulated by the TRA.  Relay service links conversations between people who use text telephones (TTY’s) or telebraille (TB) devices and people who use standard telephones.

The Telecommunications Devices Access Program was enacted in 1999 by the General Assembly to distribute appropriate telecommunications devices so that persons who have a disability may effectively use basic telephone service. The Tennessee Regulatory Authority was given the responsibility and authority to implement and manage this program. 

AT&T is recognized as an industry leader in services for customers with disabilities. From working with vendors and AT&T's Advisory Panel on Access and Aging on accessibility solutions to providing alternate billing formats, AT&T has a proven track record of helping this important group of customers.  AT&T’s efforts have gained recognition from government and disability-based organizations, including the Department of Labor, Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., and the American Foundation for the Blind. 

“At AT&T, accessibility is more than just a word — it's a commitment to our customers with disabilities to provide the products and services they need to stay connected,” said Gregg Morton, President of AT&T Tennessee.  “We are pleased to remit these funds to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority for this purpose.”

Source: AT&T Press Release

Samuel Rees of Nashville received the Presidential Award from Ruth Roberts, President of The Arc of Tennessee during the Tennessee Disability MegaConference Awards Banquet and Dance held Friday, May 29 at the Nashville Airport Marriott.

Rees is a businessman who provides lawn care for more than 90 people.  He has been moving lawns since his early teens and continues to attract new customers because of his expertise.  Recently he purchased his own truck and paid for the vehicle using cash.  Samuel's CPA told him he was the only person who made more money in 2008 than in 2007.  In addition to his lawn care business he is also the producer for his Dad's internet broadcasts.  He is very involved in public policy and regularly visits with his state and national legislators to discuss issues important to people with disabilities.  

The Arc of Tennessee is a non-profit, charitable organization. The Arc of Tennessee advocates for the rights and full participation of all people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.  Through our family-based network of members and chapters, we support and empower individuals and families; connect and inform individuals and families; improve support and service systems; influence public policy; increase public awareness; and inspire inclusive communities.

The yearly Tennessee Disability MegaConference is possible through partnerships and collaborations of many disability organizations and state agencies.

Source: Arc of Tennessee