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National Voice
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Florida Independent Pharmacies Present Health Care Concerns to U.S. Senator Bill NelsonIn a recent unprecedented meeting, Good Neighbor Pharmacies, a group of 3,000 independent pharmacies nationwide, presented health care concerns for consideration to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's office.HOLLYWOOD, FL, October 11, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In a recent unprecedented meeting, Good Neighbor Pharmacies presented health care concerns to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's office in Tampa. While Senator Nelson remained in Washington for the health care debate, leaders of the Good Neighbor Independent Pharmacy Group discussed a series of issues with Nelson representatives Digna C. Alvarez and Shahra Anderson. Good Neighbor Pharmacies represent independent owners with the Good Neighbor Pharmacy (GNP) brand in conjunction with the Amerisource-Bergen distribution chain and local community leaders. Ron Brooks, regional sales manager for Amerisource-Bergen, pointed out that there is no other group that is so close to health care as are the independent pharmacists. "Our group of independent pharmacists can help contain the cost of health care. We help patients by providing advice without adding costs. Independent pharmacists need to provide input on what works best for the patients—and with each pharmacy having contact with over 5,000 patients—we are a growing health care force", said Brooks. Dan Fucarino of Carrolwood Pharmacy inTampa who hosted and organized the lengthy session presented a forceful message with his fellow pharmacists from around the state regarding health care issues now before federal legislators. "We are very passionate about health care. Our independent team of over 3000 Good Neighbor Pharmacies is involved and activated. Good Neighbor Pharmacies are the direct line to the patients by the tens of thousands each day. Patients see us far more often than they do the doctors, and we are more approachable than any segment in health care," Fucarino said. The first set of issues centered on the requirement of mail order pharmacies, new expensive accreditation requirements, legislation for servicing Medicare patients, and the stress of over legislation requiring large investment from pharmacies for durable medical equipment. Frank Maluda of Romanos Pharmacy in Coral Springs pointed out that legislators should be very cautious about any requirements in new health care reform requiring the use of mail order pharmacies. Malude said, "Local pharmacies see our patients frequently and many require immediate attention. The number of times we need to help patients because their mail-order prescription is delayed impacts my business. We do all we can to help all patients and legislative requirements for mail order pharmacies are not in the best interest of the patients." Leke Alli of Bears Pharmacy in Tampa expressed concern about new requirements for expensive accreditation at the national level in addition to the Florida legislative requirements for servicing Medicare patients. He pointed out that he and others are extensively monitored by Florida regulations and new federal laws for durable medical equipment are prime examples of over-legislation. Alli said, "We are already licensed by the state and certified pharmacists are not part of any Federal Medicare or DME issues. The $7000 minimum investment for certification requirements is excessive and squeezes the independent pharmacists." Other concerns discussed focused on the need for more oxygen therapy coverage, large chain partnerships with insurance companies, and the new substantial role of independent pharmacies. Theresa Tolle of Baystreet Pharmacy in West Palm Beach spoke on the need for extension of oxygen therapy coverage. Tolle said, "If a patient is on oxygen therapy, Medicare re-imbursement only continues for 3 years. Independent pharmacies are very conscious of the needs of our patients, but since oxygen is a drug—the status as a provider needs to be continued with long-term re-imbursement." She added, "We are the safety net. We will provide the health care, but we should be reimbursed in any new health care legislation." Michael Steiner of Tri-Med Pharmacy in St. Petersburg expressed concerns about new and very large pharmaceutical firms now in partnership with mutually owned insurance companies. Steiner said, "It has been proven by the federal general accounting office, that mail order is the 'most expensive' pharmacy supply line. Now these large firms have teamed up with insurance companies and are not keeping pharmacy patients separate from insurance companies. They are doing joint mailing enticements, and they are not adhering to federal anti-trust legislation and are directly contacting customers as part of these monopolistic mergers in the industry. In the agreements with the federal government regarding the mergers, these large companies agreed to keep these companies separate in all aspects—and it is clear they are not doing this with recent communications." Nelson rep Shahra Anderson concluded the presentation on a positive note, "We have heard you independent pharmacists. This is in keeping with Senator Nelson's pledge regarding his priorities regarding health care reforms and their effect on small business, the elderly, and veterans. We thank you for your important input into this health care challenge." Pleased with the session, Good Neighbor Pharmacy leaders intend to continue to meet with legislators in Florida and Georgia to provide more feedback on healthcare reform. Take a little break and play this Tic Tac Toe like game! Scroll down for free printable, Welcome To Florida, and Donate Blood Halloween, post cards, and Black Hole Rock Animation Check your local fuel prices. 
Missing Children
AMBER Alert Issued for 13 Year Old Florida Girl
Posted: Monday May 5, 2009 2:01 PM CT The State of Florida issued the Amber Alert Tuesday afternoon (05-09) after the girl was reportedly abducted in Homestead earlier Tuesday. Krystal Borrego a white female, 13 years old, 5' 2" tall with brown hair and brown eyes and weighs 130 pounds. The suspect is an unknown black male. The suspect vehicle is a 1990's, dark red two door Saturn. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homestead Police Department at 1-305-247-1535 or dial 911.
Allyson Corrales has been missing from her residence in Kansas City, Missouri, since March 6, 2009. She may be in the company of her father, Luis Corrales. Allyson's mother, who was found deceased on March 6, 2009, was not married to Luis Corrales. He did not have any custodian rights to Allyson and the mother had a Full Order of Protection against him
Code Amber News Service (CANS) issued this Missing Endangered person Alert after the girl disappeared from her bedroom some time after 3 AM Tuesday morning in Satsuma. Satsuma is approximately 75 miles east of Gainsville. Haleigh Cummings a white female, 3 feet tall, weighs 39 pounds and has blond hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt and underwear. There are no suspects in this case at this time. However, due to the circumstances of the child's disappearance an abduction is strongly suspected. There is no suspect vehicle at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's office at (386) 329-0808 or dial 911. Download free video of missing Florida child Haleigh Cummings Email this alert to a friend in the area.
January 10, 2009 Immokalee, Florida ADJI DESIR DESCRIPTION Date of Birth: October 15, 2002 Place of Birth: Naples, Florida Sex: Male Hair: Black Height: 3'0" Eyes: Brown Weight: 45 pounds Race: Black (Haitian descent) THE DETAILS Adji Desir has been missing from outside his grandmother's residence in Immokalee, Florida, since Saturday, January 10, 2009, at approximately 5:30 p.m.. Adji reportedly went outside to play with neighborhood kids after dinner. He was reported missing a little while later and his whereabouts remain unknown. REMARKS Adji was last seen wearing a blue and yellow t-shirt, blue and yellow shorts, and black and gray sneakers. He is mentally handicapped and functions at a two-year-old level. He has very limited vocabulary and is non-verbal. REWARD The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Adji Desir. Individuals with information concerning this case should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact the Collier County, Florida Sheriff's Office at 1-239-793-9300, the FBI's toll-free hotline at 1-866-838-1153, or the nearest FBI Office or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate.
CANS Alert Issued for 3 Year Old Arkansas BoyPosted: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 10:22 PM AT Code Amber News Service (CANS) issued this Missing Endangered person Alert after the boy dissappered while playing behind his home Tuesday afternoon in Chidester which is in south central Arkansas. Dominick Wesley Arceneaux a white male, 3 feet tall, weighs 38 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jean shorts with red stiching on the pockets. There are no suspects in this case at this time. However, officials are leaning toward the possibility Arceneaux was kidnapped because they haven't found any sign of the boy as of Thursday night. There is no suspect vehicle at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office (870) 837-2200 or dial 911. **** ALERT FOLLOWS **********************Amber Alert Issued for 1 year old California GirlPosted: Saturday, February 14, 2009 3:47 PM CT
The State of California issued the Amber Alert on Saturday afternoon after the girl was reportedly abducted in San Bernardino. Lluvia Cortez is an Hispanic female, 1 year old with brown eyes and brown hair, two feet tall and weighs approximately 30 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, red and pink pants with hearts, and black shoes. The suspect is Alejandro Cortez, an Hispanic male, 30 years old, 5' 2", approximately 220 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black sweat suit.
The suspect vehicle is a white Lexus ES300 with California tag number 5BIU118. The car has damage to one of the doors. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Bernardino Police Department at 909-384-5742 or dial 911. Unsolved Crimes
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