[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24494]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          21ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE CENER FOR MEDICINE ADVOCACY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 17, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of the twenty-
first anniversary of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Headquartered in 
Willimantic, Connecticut, this national non-profit organization is 
dedicated to educating, advocating for, and providing legal assistance 
to older Americans and individuals with disabilities. Navigating the 
waters of the Medicare system can be daunting. However with groups such 
as CMA, eligible individuals are able to gain coverage and improved 
access to our health care system.
  The Center for Medicare Advocacy was established in 1986 by Judith 
Stein, who today serves as the Executive Director. In the decade before 
the founding of the CMA, Ms. Stein was the Co-Director of Legal 
Assistance to Medicare Patients. There, she managed the first Medicare 
advocacy program in the country. That passion for advocacy carried over 
with the creation of the CMA. Most recently, Judith was appointed by 
Senator Chris Dodd to the White House Council on Aging, where she 
served with distinction and was instrumental in crafting the Council's 
recommendations regarding Medicare improvements.
  CMA, with its staff of nurses, attorneys, legal assistants, and 
information management specialists, has educated thousands of 
individuals. Their writings on Medicare are a valuable resource and set 
a high standard for Medicare related outreach. In Connecticut, the 
organization also provides legal training and support for the State 
health insurance and assistance program. Additionally, CMA has utilized 
their incredible wealth of experience to provide invaluable policy 
advice to the Connecticut Congressional delegation and Congress as a 
whole during debate over Medicare reform.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the contribution and public 
service provided by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and its founder 
Judith Stein, as the organization celebrates 21 years of support for 
our Nation's seniors and disabled persons.

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