Info from PhillyUnions.com
PhillyUnions.com Ranks Phila.’s Top Prescription Plan for Union Members
From Joe Dougherty, President, PhillyUnions.com
http://phillyunions.com
Attention: Philadelphia Area Union Members, Families and Supporters
After receiving volumes of requests from area union members expressing discontent with their health plan’s current prescription drug program, PhillyUnions.com is providing the results of our research related to finding the premier union/union-friendly Pharmacy Benefits Management Program for Philadelphia area union members and their families.
Our results are based upon several categories including pricing, corporate stability, convenience, and union standards and includes the following Pharmacy Benefit Management programs:
- National Medical Health Card
- Express Scripts
- Rite Aid Health Solutions
- Caremark
- Medco
Due to the length of our newsletter, obviously we can’t dissect each of the above PBM programs and their features. However after much research and consideration, we can highlight why PhillyUnions.com has found that Rite Aid Health Solutions is the most efficient and economical union/union-friendly Pharmacy Benefits Manager throughout Philadelphia and vicinity.
Here are our main factors:
- With over 40 years in the market, Rite Aid is increasing their market share as they are in the process of acquiring the Brooks/Eckerd stores, giving them hundreds of union operated retail outlets throughout Philadelphia and vicinity and making them the largest Pharmacy retailer throughout the area.
- Maintenance Medication through Retail Stores: While many PBM programs require long-term prescriptions to be acquired via mail order, Rite Aid Health Solutions’ “Rite Fill 90″ program permits members to receive a 90 day supply of their medication at any Rite Aid owned retail store at greatly reduced pricing, while still allowing mail order for those choosing it.
- We have found Rite Aid Health Solutions and retail stores to be by far Philadelphia’s top union operated Pharmacy Retail outlets. Other chains like CVS and Walgreen’s are light years behind Rite Aid in terms of nationally organized employees.
- Because they own the brick and mortar retail stores, Rite Aid Health Solutions is able to provide almost unprecedented pricing. Their preferred Labor Friendly Network has the ability to generate much needed savings to the Member and his or her Health Fund. In a time when prescription drug expenses have become a bit overwhelming, Rite Aid Health Solutions provides a much needed “solution.”
- Rite Aid Health Solutions was the #1 Ranked PBM in customer satisfaction in 2006 by The WilsonRx(R) Pharmacy Benefit Satisfaction Report.
We hope this information is helpful to union members and leaders who should alert their health and welfare professionals to explore the Rite Aid Health Solutions Program. Based on our research there is simply NO better Prescription Benefits Program for union members and their families.
For more information on Rite Aid Health Solutions and how you can introduce the plan to your fellow members, send an email to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Joe Dougherty
President
PhillyUnions.com
************************************************
Announcing Working Families Vote 2008 website from the National AFL-CIO
From Patrick Eiding, President, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO
http://phillyunions.com/aflcio
The National AFL-CIO is asking for your help in promoting their new Working Families Vote 2008 website. You can check it out at http://www.workingfamiliesvote2008.org.
The website was created as a hub for the extensive activity at all levels of the AFL-CIO to push the concerns of working families front and center in the national political debate and to provide information to their members about where the candidates stand on the issues that are central to working families’ lives — jobs, health care and more. The website serves as an online voter guide and gives members a way to make their voices heard, feeding into the AFL-CIO endorsement process. Even more interactive features are planned for the coming months.
The new website includes:
- The Forum: A place for union members to discuss the presidential race. Right now at The Forum: “What do the candidates most need to understand about America’s health care crisis and its effects on working families? What do they need to focus most on fixing?”
- Working Family Issues: Where the candidates stand on the issues important to working families, such as health care, trade and the Employee Free Choice Act.
- Candidate videos.
- Take Action Center.
- Poll Tracking: The latest polls.
- Candidate Pages: Positions of the candidates and links to other online resources from all the presidential contenders.
- Daily Blog Roundup.
We’re entering an exciting new phase of our work leading up to 2008. The Working Families Vote 2008 website is a great tool for informing and engaging our members for the coming fight.
Thanks for all you do.
Mike Cavanaugh
Director, Office of State & Local Affiliates
http://www.aflcio.org
************************************************
Fundraising Concert: Branford Marsalis, Rodney Mack, Time for Three - Special Price for Union Members
For Immediate release. Contact: Sabina Clarke [email protected]
Branford Marsalis and Rodney Mack Headline Concert at University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine Auditorium
Grammy(R) award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis, internationally acclaimed trumpeter Rodney Mack and the Philadelphia Big Brass and Time for Three headline a Tribute Concert on Sunday, June 3, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce Street on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus.
SPECIAL UNION MEMBER TICKET RATE: $25.00. To purchase tickets call Upstages box office at (215) 569-9700 and identify yourself as a union member to get the special price.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Paul Robeson House Historical Renovation Project.
* This is going to be a spectacular concert with solo performances by Branford Marsalis and his cousin, trumpeter Rodney Mack, with the Philadelphia Big Brass and Time for Three.
************************************************
Firemen & Oilers (SEIU) Local 1201 President George Ricchezza Featured Guest at 5/24 B2B Event
PhillyUnions.com is pleased to welcome and honor one of Philadelphia’s outstanding union leaders — George Ricchezza, President of Firemen & Oilers (SEIU) Local 1201, who has graciously agreed to speak at our next PUdotcom Business to Business Networking Event, being held tomorrow, May 24, from 6 PM - 8 PM at The Penthouse Lounge and Grille, 460 N. 2nd St. (on 2nd between Spring Garden and Callowhill).
This is an excellent opportunity for our existing Pro-Union Preferred Partners as well as local union and pro-union businesses and professionals who are not currently Pro-Union Preferred Partners to meet one of our community’s premier union leaders. At these monthly events, participants network, exchange referrals, find new clients, learn about opportunities to streamline and improve their business, and learn how to do better business with the Philadelphia area union community. Pro-Union Preferred Partners usually attend these events free or at a discount and have the opportunity to sponsor these events and/or be a featured business. Other pro-union businesses and professionals are invited and welcome to attend, network, and learn about the Program.
For more information about the PhillyUnions.com Pro-Union Preferred Partners Program, scroll down or visit http://phillyunions.com/partners/info.php.
For a complete, categorized directory of our Pro-Union Preferred Partners or to take advantage of the excellent discounts and preferred services they offer to our union community, visit the Union Gold Pages at http://phillyunions.com/goldpages.