Vt. program ranked No. 1
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Published: November 13, 2008
Today, I am pleased to tell you that Vermont's state health insurance program is ranked first in the nation.
Vermont's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides one-on-one counseling and information to educate consumers about Medicare and other health insurance programs, has been awarded the top ranking among the nation's 54 SHIP programs in terms of overall performance in 2008.
Vermont's SHIP received a 2008 Performance Plus Award of $32,628 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in recognition of its efforts: $25,235 for a No. 1 ranking nationwide; and $7,393 for a No. 1 ranking in their "cluster." There are six clusters nationwide. Other states in Vermont's cluster include Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
"Vermont is a state that can boast many firsts in health care. We were ranked No. 1 in the nation for early child health and maternal health by several national organizations this spring, and I'm very pleased to see this federal recognition of Vermont's commitment to providing high quality health care assistance to folks on the other end of the age spectrum," said Gov. James Douglas.
The Vermont SHIP program is delivered through the state's five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), of which Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is one. The AAAs employ trained counselors and volunteers to work with individuals older than 65, or those with disabilities, who have questions or concerns about the Medicare program, including Medicare Part D or other insurance programs.
"We are very pleased that the federal government has recognized the dedication of our AAA partners in administering the SHIP program here in Vermont," said Cynthia D. LaWare, secretary of the Agency of Human Services. "Thanks to their efforts, more Vermonters than ever have access to information that makes it easier for them to enroll in high-quality, affordable health-care programs across the state."
Judith Crawford, director of Vermont's SHIP, added, "I am so proud of our performance, and I am equally proud of all the dedicated staff associated with SHIP. We have an extraordinary group of people serving our Medicare population and this recognition is well deserved."
The Vermont SHIP's national No. 1 performance ranking means that for the size of our state and the number of Medicare beneficiaries, Vermont:
On another note, I'd like to congratulate "Grama" Marie Chioffi who is celebrating 25 years of service to the Foster Grandparent Program. Marie is loved by the teachers and children at the Tenney Brook Preschool at the Dana School Building on East Center Street.
Barbara Hanson is director of community resource development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging.
Meals on Wheels
Today: Beef roulades, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, wheat bread, brownie.
Friday: Italian chicken fingers, barbecue sauce, rice pilaf, baby carrots, pumpernickel bread, Mandarin oranges with cream.
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