Upcoming events at BMS Family Health Center
The Ninth Annual BMS Summer Fest on July 16, 2011
The Third Annual BMS @ Genesis Children's Festival on August 20, 2011
For more information about fun events or partnering with our organization, please contact Takia Knight at 718-345-5000 Ext. 1153 or via email.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance 2.0 Launch
Baseball Great Darryl Strawberry and NYS Senator John Sampson Visit BMS Family Health Center to Announce Prescription Assistance Program
Brooklyn, NY (April 26, 2010) –– Realizing that Brooklyn has a high percentage of residents that are either underinsured or uninsured, and therefore have difficulty getting medical prescriptions filled, the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center (BMS) welcomed four-time World Series Champion and legendary NY Yankees/NY Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry and New York State Senator, and Democratic Conference Leader, John Sampson to announce that the free Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) program can help them get prescriptions filled. A host of other distinguished guests, including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblyman William Boyland, Jr., among others, packed into the health center on April 22, 2010 to hear the announcement.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) program celebrated its fifth anniversary on this occasion and noted that New York has reached an important milestone: 200,000 uninsured and financially struggling patients from around the state have been helped by the PPA, connecting them to programs that provide medicines for free or nearly free. Since its debut in April 2005, the PPA has helped more than 6.5 million U.S. residents nationwide. "This achievement in New York is especially important since the state has a high number of uninsured residents," said Senior Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
"BMS Family Health Center is proud to welcome New York State Senator John Sampson, baseball great Darryl Strawberry and Partnership for Prescription Assistance, who have joined forces to make it possible for low-income Brooklyn residents to have better access to affordable or free prescription medication." said Harvey Lawrence, BMS President & CEO. He added, "As a health center that’s growing and expanding services to an increasing number of people, BMS is delighted to support this critically important and much needed initiative."
Strawberry joined the Mets at age 21 and earned National League Rookie-of-the-Year honors. During his storied career, he was named to the All-Star team eight consecutive years, led the Yankees and Mets to four World Series Championships, won the Silver Slugger Award twice, and was only the tenth player in Major League Baseball history to join the 30/30 club, hitting 39 home runs and stealing 36 bases in 1987 while with the Mets. "I was very fortunate to have all the resources needed when I had to get chemotherapy treatment. But a lot of people don’t have the funds or prescription coverage needed to get their medications and often their sense of pride can prevent them for asking for help. So I just want to let people know that this is a good program and it’s okay to reach for help to get the care they need." said Darryl Strawberry at BMS Family Health Center.
After an aggressive treatment, which required chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor as well as a kidney, Strawberry now spreads the word about his experience and encourages hope among his fellow cancer patients.
A report from the Milken Institute reveals just how expensive the cost of chronic diseases can be. In 2003, nearly 11 million cases of the seven most common chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, were reported in New York. Treatment expenditures and lost productivity in the state for just that one year totaled $88 billion.
"PPA 2.0" introduces new online resources that expand community partnerships and enhance PPA’s mobile and Internet presence to make it even easier to obtain information about PPA programs. In an effort to reach more people in more places, PPA is launching a new text hotline and smart phone application, in addition to the existing toll-free hotline and Web site, to ensure around-the-clock access to information about the more than 475 programs offered through the PPA.
Awareness of the PPA is also being raised through a new 60-second television public service announcement (PSA) and former New England Patriots star linebacker and patient advocate Tedy Bruschi, a stroke survivor. The PSA will be airing on more than 1,500 TV stations and 500 cable systems throughout America. Patients seeking help with their medicines can call PPA’s toll-free number (1-888-4- PPA-NOW) to talk to a trained operator or access the PPA Web site (www.pparx.org). It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to find out if someone may qualify for free or nearly free medications.
Patients who qualify for help from the PPA’s participating patient assistance programs have access to more than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines.
In 1982, BCDC established the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center (BMS), an Article 28, family health center uniquely responsive to the health care needs of the residents of Brownsville, East New York and portions of Ocean Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and Canarsie. Originally established with just one National Health Services Corps physician, BMS has since grown dramatically in correlation with the increasing need of community residents for health services beyond just primary care – offering a wide range of medical and non-medical services. Today, BMS is a comprehensive health and wellness facility, and the only freestanding health center in Brooklyn to be accredited by the Joint Commission. We operate out of eight existing service sites. We are also the second largest non- government employer in Brownsville, employing more than 250 professional and support staff, many of them community residents.
Congratulations BMS!
Brownsville Community Development Corporation (BCDC) conveys our heartfelt appreciation to the GE Foundation for selecting us as a partner in the Developing Health program. We are elated at the prospect of working with GE and its staff to continue to improving access to high quality health care for the residents of communities with complex health and socioeconomic needs.
Do YOU have health INSURANCE?
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Gather some of these documents and come apply!
Identity/Date of Birth:
Drivers License, Passport, Govt. ID, Birth Certificate
Proof of Home Address:
Lease, Utility Bill, Rent Receipt
Income:
Pay stubs, Unemployment Check, Social Sec. check, etc.
Citizenship:
US Passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Birth Certificate
Immigration:
Green Card, USCIS form I-94, I-210 letter or I-181
592 Rockaway Ave. (corner of Blake)
Call Raymond (718) 345-5000 x 1161
