Make Medicare Work Coalition

The Make Medicare Work Coalition (MMW) is a collaboration to address and positively influence the impact of Medicare Part D, state prescription drug programs and healthcare reform on people in Illinois. MMW is led by AgeOptions, Health & Disability Advocates, and Progress Center for Independent Living.  It brings together service providers and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities to educate and assist Medicare consumers and their families to understand their options, enroll in prescription drug plans and programs that work best for them, and solve problems that might occur. Through the policy work of the coalition, the practical experience and needs of consumers and service providers are brought to policymakers to promote positive changes. MMW was created through  generous support from Michael Reese Health Trust, The Retirement Research Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust.

Mission:  The MMW Coalition is committed to maximizing the number of people with Medicare who are successfully enrolled in programs that provide them affordable access to the healthcare and prescription drugs they need.

MMW members: The Make Medicare Work Coalition is made up of more than 700 people from over 250 organizations including: advocates; aging and disability service providers; consumers; local, state and federal agency representatives; policymakers and other stakeholders. MMW members agree to support and contribute to the mission and goals of the coalition.

MMW provides:

• Training and technical assistance (meetings, conference calls, phone help from experts),
• Usable, current, accurate information and analysis (through e-mail bulletins, alerts, resource center and website),
• Education and outreach to consumers (speakers, presentations, materials, media opportunities, and on-site enrollment support),
• Resource Directory – to connect with other organizations in the community, and
• Advocacy opportunities (to participate together for change).

Please visit  http://www.ageoptions.org/whatwedo/MMW.cfm to access a MMW Coalition calendar of events and materials such as Bulletins, Alerts, and informational fact sheets.

To join the MMW Coalition email list, please contact:  Georgia Gerdes, Healthcare Choices Specialist, AgeOptions, (708)383-0258, Georgia.Gerdes@ageoptions.org.