From: Debby Blumer, State Representative
Subject: News and Notes
Date: July 25, 2003
Hi there,
I hope that everyone is enjoying the warm weather.
Topics:
Open Enrollment in Prescription Advantage
Happenings around town
House overrides of the Governor's vetoes
Study touts safety of community hospitals
Sound barriers in Framingham
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE
The good news is that the Prescription Advantage program enrollment is
opening August 1 for those 65 and over or who are disabled. The bad
news is that Governor Romney is closing enrollment on August 31!
Application must be RECEIVED on or before August 31. I have asked that
the enrollment period be extended through September -- but that may not
happen.
I encourage you to forward this information broadly --- so that all
elders and people with disabilities can get the information they need on
this very important program.
Please call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1 800-243-4636) for more information. The
new application form just went online.
http://www.800ageinfo.com/Programs/pa.cfm
click on "Prescription Advantage Application Form."
Please note that this program is available to people of all income
levels. Monthly insurance premiums and co-pays will vary depending on
income and marriage status. There are out-of-pocket spending limits as
well.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have questions or need help.
-- 617-722-2400 (office) 508-879-0658 (home)
Doreen Nemeth (Shine Area Coordinator) will hold an information session
at the Callahan Senior Center on August 14. Please check the Callahan
Courier for details or call 508-620-6559.
HOUSE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR'S VETOES
After the Governor vetoed many programs in the FY04 budget, the House
and Senate restored $150 million in essential services - including home
care for seniors, the honors college at UMass, local aid, legal aid for
the poor, kindergarten grants, Community Service for the Blind and Radio
Reading Service/Talking Library.
We also restored the two-way bilingual education program, an education
program that has proved extraordinarily successful. In the two-way
bilingual education program in Framingham, 100% of the students passed
the Grade 3 MCAS test. Students in the two-way bilingual program
performed better than students overall in Framingham (92% pass-rate.)
For a complete list of overrides, please view:
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/04budget/fy04overrides.htm
HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN:
>> 10AM, July 29th: Ribbon-cutting for Framingham Community Resource
center at MW Career Center --- SMOC, 2nd floor, 300 Howard Street.
>> 6:30PM-8:30PM, August 1st: Concerts on the Green with the Roy Nutile
Band (Bing Band Swing) ---Framingham Centre Common, a.k.a. Village Green
>> 8:30 - 10:00AM, August 6th: Wayside Advocacy Meeting --- Wayside, 75
Fountain Street, Framingham.
>> 6:30PM-8:30PM, August 8th: Concerts on the Green with HELP (Beatles
Oldies at their Best) ---Framingham Centre Common, a.k.a. Village Green,
Edgell Rd.
>> 6:30PM-8:30PM: Neal Perry Orchestra, (Classic Rock & Swing) --
Framingham Centre Common, a.k.a. Village Green, Edgell Rd.
>> 6:30PM-8:30PM: Framingham's Blues Festival --- Framingham Centre
Common, a.k.a. Village Green, Edgell Rd
>> 6-8PM, August 20th: Jewish Family Service of MetroWest Business and
Professional Summer BBQ, A Social Summer BBQ at Framingham's
soon-to-open newest store. More information at
http://www.thebackyardbarbeque.com
REPORT ON COMMUNITY HOSPITALS' SAFETY
The state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy studied more than
152,000 hospital records and concluded that women with low-risk
pregnancies can "safely and confidently" give birth at community
hospitals. Community hospitals are significantly less expensive than
teaching hospitals. Average total charges for a normal birthing in
community hospitals was $3,912 in 2001, compared to $7,559 at teaching
hospitals.
COME JOIN THE METROWEST YOUNG DEMOCRATS!
Massachusetts Democratic Future, the official Young Democrats chapter
for Massachusetts, is working to establish a local chapter for the
MetroWest Young Democrats. If you are a Democrat, 18 to 35 years old,
living in MetroWest and you'd like to get involved (or know others who
would like to get involved) with the founding of the MetroWest Young
Democrats, please contact Mathew Helman at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
at (617) 821-8004 (e-mail preferred).
SOUND BARRIERS COMING TO FRAMINGHAM!
The Turnpike Authority's sound barrier design for Westgate Road will go
out for bid on August 13th. We expect that construction will begin in
October.
If you have any questions, concerns or ideas, drop me an email or call -
617-722-2400 or 508-879-0658.
Have a relaxing & safe weekend!
Debby
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