TAMPA, Fla. August 10, 2004 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announced today membership in “Access to Benefits Coalition” (ABC) to educate kidney patients about new Medicare prescription drug programs. In last year’s Medicare Modernization Act, Congress authorized two Medicare drug programs. The first was an 18-month drug discount card, which began in June 2004 and the second, beginning January 2006, is a comprehensive drug benefit.

“AAKP is excited to be the first national kidney disease organization to join ABC,” said Kris Robinson, AAKP’s executive director. “AAKP’s mission is patient education – because education is essential if kidney patients are to survive and thrive. We look forward to helping kidney patients become aware of the new Medicare prescription programs. And for some patients, these programs may be lifesavers. Most kidney patients use at least several prescriptions – which can be very costly.”

About ABC(Click here). Chaired by the National Council on Aging in Washington, D.C., ABC is a coalition of more than 70 nonprofit members and dedicated to ensuring low-income Medicare members make optimal use of the new Medicare prescription drug benefits and all other resources to save money on prescription drugs. ABC partnered with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to accomplish its mission.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.