Medicare Part D Presentation To Be Held At Senator Farley's Healthy Heart Day

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady) announces that the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) will host a presentation on Medicare Part D and Medicaid Buy-In, at 10:30 a.m., during his Healthy Heart Day on Tuesday, February 14th, at the Riverfront Center, Amsterdam.

The Senator's health fair will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with this special presentation to be conducted by Evelyn Byrne-Richardson. Some 40 vendors are participating in Healthy Heart Day. In addition to Ms. Byrne-Richardson's presentation, the Mental Health Association of Fulton and Montgomery Counties and the Montgomery County Office of the Aging will have information at their tables on Medicare Part D. The Fidelis Insurance Company will give information on the Medicare Advantage Program.

"This is the fifth Healthy Heart Day I've hosted and the biggest one yet," Senator Farley said. "I'm really excited about the groups we have involved and all the activities planned. While the main theme is heart health, there is something for everyone at this event."

Amsterdam Memorial Health Care will conduct free breathing tests and body fat analyses, as well as provide information on their sleep lab. The Community Heart Program of Bassett Health Care will provide free heart screenings and cholesterol tests. Blood pressure and carbon monoxide testing for those who smoke will also be offered. A "Heart Score Card" with all the results will be provided, and confidential counseling will be available. Montgomery County Public Health, Home Health Care Partners and New Dimensions will provide free blood pressure screenings.

Nathan Littauer Hospital will have a representative available to discuss the Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus programs. Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GAVAC) will discuss safety issues while Life Net of New York will conduct a slide show and discuss what services they provide to the Montgomery-Fulton counties area. Fulton County Public Health will discuss emergency preparedness issues and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties will demonstrate the new food pyramid and provide healthy snacks. Community Health Center will discuss its new adult day care facility, located in the Riverfront Center.

Tom Krum from Dr. Rattner's office and the Capital District Orthotic Group will display diabetic footwear and display a portable gaitscanner, which evaluates a person's foot biomechanics. Tony Scott, a local runner, will sell paper hearts on behalf of the American Heart Association. He will also discuss the benefits of walking and running. He has run in the Boston Marathon several times and hope to return in two years, after he turns 70.

Also on hand at Healthy Heart Day to provide information will be: Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (ASAPP), Arthirtis Foundation, Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer!, Montgomery County Reality Check, Project Action, National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI), Montgomery County Catholic Charities, Montgomery County Allies for Prevention (MCAP), Long Term Care Ombudsman program, Fulton County Office of the Aging, Fulmont Community Action Agency, Kids Peace, HealthLink, St. Mary's Hospital, The Best You Can Be, Capital District Orthotic Group, B.M.S. Medical Equipment, Hispanic Outreach Services and Northeast Parent and Child Society.

For more information on Healthy Heart Day, call Senator Farley's Amsterdam District Office at 843-2188.