NOTE REGARDING YESTERDAY'S EMAIL/FAX REGARDING RSVP'ing FOR ONE OF THE THREE CONFERENCE CALLS: THE CORRECT EMAIL TO RSVP TO IS INFO@PROTECTPHARMACYPATIENTS.ORG (not .com)!!! CHECK THE PSSNY WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO!!

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ADVOCATES FOR MENTALLY ILL JOIN CHORUS OF VOICES OPPOSING DRASTIC PHARMACY CUTS
Budget Cuts Endanger Critical Needs of Mentally Ill Patients

Full Circle Health, a Bronx-based mental health practice, specializing in psychiatric evaluations and all forms of counseling is teaming up with the Protect Pharmacy Patients coalition www.protectpharmacypatients.org to protest the recent draconian cuts to Medicaid, EPIC and ADAP pharmacy reimbursements. The cuts, which went into effect July 1st, are already impacting patients, and Full Circle Health joins advocates for seniors and the chronically ill in calling for Albany to roll back the cuts.

"With one in four adults afflicted with some form of mental illness, ensuring affordable and convenient access to medications and treatment is crucial to New York's approach to mental health." said Derek H. Suite, M.D., President and CEO of Full Circle Health. "New York's leaders are abandoning the state's most vulnerable citizens by jeopardizing their access to quality healthcare services. For individuals suffering from mental illness, and at risk of suicide, treatment and medication is not an option – it is a necessity."

Individuals with mental illness who rely on Medicaid and EPIC have been among the hardest hit by the recent pharmacy cuts. With access to professional services and critical medical treatments, millions of mentally ill individuals can lead healthy, productive lives. However, with a 70-80% cut in reimbursement levels for pharmacies, many community pharmacies have become unable to keep critical medications in stock, creating dangerous gaps in treatment access for many patients. In some cases, pharmacies will be forced to close their doors altogether.

WHO:
- The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, NYC Pharmacists Society, and various local affiliates
- Full Circle Health www.fullcirclehealth.org
- Health advocates and patients

WHAT:
Full Circle Health and the Protect Pharmacy Patients coalition address the devastating impact the recent pharmacy cuts have had on patients who suffer from mental illness, and call on the Governor and Legislature to roll back the cuts.

WHEN:
Thursday, July 10, 2008
11:00 am

WHERE:
Full Circle Health www.fullcirclehealth.org
2429 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, New York 10461

Contact: Michael McKeon
212-681-1380 or 917-270-8652