National Patient Advocate Establishes Full-Time Washington Office
Contact: City Policy Associates, 202-291-7124
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The concerns of 55 million medication-dependent Americans regarding Year 2000 problems that could have immediate, deleterious effects on their health are now being represented in Washington on a full-time basis.
Laurene West, a nurse and expert in medical information systems who also is a medication- and treatment-dependent patient, has relocated to Washington to work with the Administration, the Senate, industry groups and other organizations to ensure that health care, maintenance drugs and controlled substances are available without interruption to all whose lives depend on them. The goal is simply that no lives will be lost in the United States because of potential Y2K failures in critical health care systems, processes and delivery.
In her role as an independent National Patient Advocate, Ms. West has appeared as an expert witness and/or serves as an advisor to the President's Council for Year 2000 Conversion, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Council, the President's Council for Y2K Civic Leadership, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, and the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also works with the White House Year 2000 Information Center, the National Council for Health Care Contingency Planning, the National Patient Safety Foundation of the American Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medicine Association. She has assisted in the drafting of legislation addressing Y2K health care issues and in negotiating a government- industry Pharmaceutical Contingency Plan for Year 2000. Industry affiliations include the National Wholesale Druggist Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the National Association for Chain Drug Stores, and the Odin Group.
In appearances before diverse audiences, West encourages the public to be prudently prepared for potential Y2K problems; she strongly advises both patients and healthcare providers -- including hospitals, nursing homes and doctors' offices -- not to stockpile medications. Those who do so, she cautions, could prevent others from receiving their normal supplies or dosages.
Through the end of the year, West will be issuing statements in response to those issued by the White House and Senate regarding Y2K readiness in the healthcare industry -- in particular, those segments of the industry responsible for production and distribution of medication -- and is available for interviews.
-0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 08/30 10:32
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
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