(Alexandria, VA) – America’s senior citizens today joined a wide and diverse chorus of business groups and grassroots organizations commending the House Judiciary Committee for the successful passage of H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Jim Martin, Chairman of the 60 Plus Association, released the following statement hailing the legislation as a “critical tool to protect America’s intellectual property from Internet theft, both domestically and globally.
As part of its “Keep Seniors Safe” project, 60 Plus Association Chairman Jim Martin today sent a letter to Stephen Hemsley, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, asking that United adjust their Part D Medicare coverage to ensure seniors with gout can access colchicine products, which treats gout flare ups.
May 19, 2011
Dear Mr. Hemsley,
Due to various factors, including a letter I sent you in February and recent publicity surrounding the issue, I am inclined to believe you are aware of the damage UnitedHealth Group’s continuous refusal to provide affordable colchicine for gout patients with United’s Part-D Medicare plan has caused.
By James L. Martin
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Thousands of Texas seniors who chose Part-D Medicare in order to access affordable & vital gout drug coverage have received a rude wake-up call from local Part-D insurers — including those offered in Texas by Cigna & United Health Group.
Recently, as part of their Unapproved Drugs Initiative, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed untested versions of colchicine from the market. At the time of the FDA’s action, most Part-D plans offered the unapproved version of colchicine as a tier I or tier II drug. As a result, the vast majority of seniors had access to this treatment for their painful condition. Today, with the unapproved version all but removed from the marketplace, we find that a certain number of seniors are unable to gain access to the only FDA approved version of colchicine-based gout medicine “Colcrys” because it has been placed on tier III with a co-pay that is too high for many to afford.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– As part of the 60 Plus Association’s “Keeping Seniors Safe” project, the organization’s chairman, Jim Martin, recently sent letters to the CEOs of five Part-D Medicare plans, urging them to provide accessible colchicine-based medications to gout patients after untested and potentially harmful options were removed from the marketplace as part of an important Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety-initiative.
For any American senior, health and safety is their top priority. That's why 60 Plus is firmly behind stopping the prevalence of manufactures, doctors, and pharmacies distributing unapproved drugs when an approved drug or its equivalent is available on the market. We are especially concerned because our members -- senior citizens -- make up a large percentage of those for whom drug prescriptions are written... Read more >>>
