A Message from the Assistant Secretary U.S. Administration on Aging

The organizations within the Aging Services Network are central partners with the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration as we help Medicare beneficiaries access new benefits under the Medicare Modernization and Improvement Act of 2003 (MMA).

The new drug benefit under the MMA will go into effect on January 1, 2006. Over the next year, our role will be critical as we move from awareness of the new drug benefit to enrollment. Our missions provide us with a historic opportunity to work together to ensure Medicare beneficiaries can make informed decisions about their health care coverage.

As AoA reaches out to all older Americans to make sure that they take full advantage of the new benefits Medicare, we will need the help of the entire aging services network. Please join the AoA Medicare Partnership Campaign by registering on this page.

This is about helping the people we serve. We value your partnership and your commitment to providing older Americans with the quality of life they so deserve. I look forward to working with you again in the implementation of this very important benefit for our elders.

- Josefina G. Carbonell