The purpose of the Public Policy Committee is to bring information, insight and empowerment into the Minneapolis and St. Paul Senior Workers' Associations through organization, education, and research to ensure an informed public policy debate and decision-making process on behalf of our members and the senior population we serve.

Click here to download this presentation.

http://www.mncn.org/policy_contacting_lawmakers.htm

Let your lawmakers know what you think.

The Minneapolis and St. Paul Senior Workers Associations are acutely aware the current economy and high health care costs are presenting difficulties for people trying to pay for their prescription drugs. We are offering some resources to enable informed decisions on ways to reduce costs of medications.

There are Patient Assistance Programs for people who cannot afford any cost for their medications. Some programs provide options for purchasing drugs at discounted prices. All of these programs have specific requirements that must be met in order to receive assistance from the program. All of the programs require an application completed and most require some information from the doctor. Most require some basic information and financial documentation.

Three websites have information about free or low cost prescription drug programs:

rxassist.org

needymeds.com

helpingpatients.org

There are nearly 800 drug assistance programs listed, including requirements and application forms.

Another helpful website is:

http://www.pparx.com

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance program is a group of drug companies, doctors, health care providers and organizations helping people without prescription coverage find the right drug assistance program.

Some websites with information for people who have health insurance but can't afford to co-pays and premiums:

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org

http://www.copays.org

http://www.patientaccessnetwork.org

or phone 1-866-316-7263 for those without internet access.

For women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, Linking A.R.M.S. (Assistance and Resources made Simple) through CancerCare provides grants up to $300 a year to assist low income women with costs of certain oral medicines for breast cancer treatment, pain, nausea, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment prescribed by her doctor.

MinnesotaRXConnect.com is a website for Minnesotans to access prescription medications at no cost through a Canadian pharmacy. The website features three Canadian pharmacies that are available to the public to have additional options for consumers. The MN Senior Federation also offers a website for low cost medications through a Canadian or United States pharmacy at:

http://www.seniorrxcare.com/

There are several generic programs that may be less expensive than insurance copays. Several of these, including formularies, can be found at:

http://www.rxassist.org/providers/resources.cfm

including those from K-Mart, Target and WalMart pharmacies.

Anyone needing assistance can call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. Calls are answered 8-4:30 weekdays. If you reach the answering machine, leave a message and someone will call you back.

Click here to download a PDF document containing the links below. (Adobe Acrobat required)

State Elected Officials

Minnesota Governor's Office

Minnesota House of Representatives Member Directory

Minnesota Senate Member Directory

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Track Minnesota Legislative Progress

Minnesota Statutes, Session Laws, and Rules
(As maintained by the Revisor of Statutes)

Housing Minnesota
Take Action and Policy & Legislation sections provided useful information on legislative action around housing issues.

Minnesota Board on Aging
Advocate section provides information on legislative priorities, long term care reform and other issues; Advisor section provides issue briefs and legislative reports.

Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance
Government affairs section provides information on advocacy issues and initiative and a legislative action center with action alerts and other information on getting involved.

Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
A consortium of leaders representing social and health service organizations geared to advocate boldly for and achieve positive system change for older adults and their families in Minnesota.

Minnesota Senior Federation
Issues and Activism section contains information on specific issues; Legislative Lobby and Action Center with action alerts, state and federal legislation affecting seniors; Resource Center with presentations, materials and web links on specific issues.

Minnesota Social Services Association
Information on MSSA policy agenda, tips for contacting legislators, action alerts available during the session.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
The Public Policy section includes news, events, projects & campaigns as well as public policy resources. Register for MCN's Legislative Updates.

Children, Youth, and Families Consortium
at the University of MN Links to Public Policy Information
(Senior Public Policy)

Care Providers of Minnesota
Care Providers of Minnesota exists to empower members to achieve excellence through advocacy, education, knowledge, ress and support.

AHCA/NCAL
AHCA/NCAL represents the long term care
community to the nation at large - to government, business leaders, and the general public. It also serves as a force for change within the long-term care field, providing information, education, and administrative tools that enhance quality at every level.