Ansonia Resident Volunteers to Help Seniors

Ansonia Resident Volunteers to Pick Up Your Groceries and Prescriptions During Covid-19 Crisis…

Contact:  John Izzo                             jizzo9531@gmail.com                                   860-929-8715

With the Covid-19 virus bringing our state to a near standstill and mandates that call for citizens not to gather with more than 10 people and maintaining a safe 6-foot distance, our seniors are the most vulnerable to be affected, said Ansonia resident John Izzo.  

These core group of Valley citizens have had to make major adjustments to their daily lives that makes it difficult to do the simplest things that many of us take for granted, like a trip to the local market to do their weekly grocery shopping, or to pick up their prescriptions from the pharmacy.     

I feel those of us that are capable must do our share to help our seniors during these difficult times.  Therefore, I am volunteering my time to do the grocery shopping or pick up prescriptions from local supermarkets and pharmacies for any of our elderly residents over the age of 65 in the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.  

With state-mandated closures of most businesses, there are and will be very limited hours and locations to shop for groceries and I want to do what I can to assist our senior citizens for this purpose.    

These are not typical times. In just a few short months, the coronavirus has led to the creation of a new language, one with phrases like “social distancing” and “self-isolation.”  While public health officials work diligently to keep all citizens abreast of safety measures and precautions that are currently in place, our elderly population is being affected and the ones most in need during this crisis.

We are facing unprecedented times and we must do whatever we can to keep our seniors safe. ] 

There is no charge for this service, and anyone needing help with their grocery shopping or prescription pick up can email me on jizzo9531@gmail.com., or call 860-929-8715 for more information.   

(This is a press release from John Izzo)

Valley Lawmakers Appalud Passage of Opioid Bill

State Representatives Linda Gentile (D-104), Themis Klarides (R-114) and Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), are pleased to announce passage in the House of HB7052, a far-ranging bill which continues efforts to address opioid addiction.

“This comprehensive bill is so desperately needed to address the ever growing opioid crisis that we have been experiencing over the last several years,” said Rep. Gentile. “This crisis has impacted virtually every state in our country, including Connecticut. It has affected families of every socio-economic class and we have seen a number of deaths right here in our Valley communities. No family should ever have to face such senseless, tragic loss. It is my hope that this bill will reduce these untimely deaths and reverse this heartbreaking trend of opioid addiction.”

“Opioid abuse and overdose has overwhelmed society and demands that we take action to combat this scourge. Every week we read and hear about overdose deaths. Everyone knows someone who has been lost to this epidemic, and we need to wake up and take steps so that makes sense and will result in positive results,’’ House Republican Leader Rep. Klarides said.

“The opioid crisis has hit our communities and the state of Connecticut extremely hard,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “This legislation takes proactive steps to educate the public and children about the dangers of opioid abuse and will help us halt the spread of the opioid crisis. All of us in Hartford, Republicans and Democrats, are working together to find solutions to curb this disease once and for all.”

Three of the more integral parts of the bill, AAC Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse are:

· Require that prescriptions be transcribed electronically to safeguard against over prescribing
· Reduce the maximum number of days for a prescription from seven to five for minors
· Allow patients to request drugs other than opioids to be prescribed.

Klarides said that these are common sense ideas that will address the explosion of opioid abuse and overdose that has affected every segment of society in recent years.

The bill passed 146-0 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Derby nurse among highest prescribers in U.S.

By Lisa Chedekel
Connecticut Health I-Team
A Derby nurse practitioner was among the top 10 prescribers nationally of the most potent controlled substances in Medicare’s drug program in 2012 — an anomaly in a state where Medicare records show nurse practitioners rarely prescribe such drugs, which have a high potential for abuse.
Heather Alfonso, an advanced-practice registered nurse (APRN) at the Comprehensive Pain & Headache Treatment Centers LLC, wrote out 8,705 prescriptions for opioids and other Schedule II drugs in 2012 — the most prolific prescriber among all Connecticut practitioners, including pain specialists and other physicians, according to Medicare data compiled by ProPublica.


Read the full story here. 

Derby provides drug discount program

DERBY - The City of Derby, through its association with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the statewide association of towns and cities, is now providing a new prescription discount card that will provide uninsured and underinsured residents steep savings on prescription medicines.

Derby is a member of CCM and this new program is only available to CCM member-communities.
         
In Connecticut, over 10 percent of Connecticut residents – nearly 360,000 people – currently lack health insurance and prescription plans and another 800,000 residents are underinsured. There are over 50 million uninsured individuals living in the United States.

The “City of Derby Prescription Drug Discount Card” helps residents save money on their prescription medications any time their prescription is not covered by insurance.  This new prescription discount card will provide immediate fiscal relief at the pharmacy counter for uninsured and underinsured residents and offers the following features and benefits:
-- Anyone can participate regardless of age or income;
-- All prescription medications are covered including pet prescriptions that can be filled at a pharmacy;
-- There is no cost to the municipality or to participating residents;
-- Cost savings average 45 percent;
-- There are over 63,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Stop and Shop, and Big Y, and many independent pharmacies;
-- Discounts are also offered on other medical services including vision, hearing and Lasik services.
     
"It is a clear win for our city when we can easily ensure that our uninsured and under-insured residents have easy, no cost, access to better prescription coverage.” said Mayor Anthony Staffieri.

“CCM is pleased to offer this valuable community service to Derby,” said CCM Executive Director and CEO Jim Finley. “Many families are struggling and even some families with health insurance may not have all their prescriptions covered. This program will help them save money on any medicines not covered by their insurance.”

Discount cards to be mailed

Each residence in Derby will receive a “City of Derby Prescription Discount Card” by direct mail which they may use at any participating retail pharmacy. Cards may be used by all city residents regardless of age, income or existing health coverage.

There are no enrollment forms, membership fees, restrictions or limits on frequency of use for residents.
Cardholders and their family members are encouraged to use the cards any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance. 
Cards will also be printed by visiting www.CTRxDiscountCard.com, and selecting Derby from the drop-down menu.


This post is taken from a press release from the City of Derby.