Harry Reid: “I rise today to commend Garrett Hall and Chris Shea, fellow Nevadans who deserve praise for their efforts during the…”

“I rise today to commend Garrett Hall and Chris Shea, fellow Nevadans who deserve praise for their efforts during the implementation of the new Medicare Part D drug benefit in Nevada. As most of us have surely heard, the enrollment period was a time of great stress, confusion, and frustration for nearly everyone involved. As seniors, people with disabilities, and their loved ones tried to understand the complicated new drug benefit, decide whether to sign up, and then find the best drug plan to join, many found themselves overwhelmed. Emerging from those reports were also stories about pharmacists who struggled with the numerous implementation problems. Garrett and Chris, who operate PAX Rx in Reno, NV, are fine examples of pharmacists across the country who did their best to assist those seeking their help and advice. However, Garrett and Chris did more than simply rise to the occasion. By all accounts, they went above and beyond the minimum bar set for them. For one particularly vulnerable group, the Medicare-Medicaid dual eligible beneficiaries, Garrett and Chris came to the rescue countless times to ensure that they did not fall through the bureaucratic cracks. As many of us know, newspapers widely reported the numerous implementation problems that threatened to keep these dual-eligible beneficiaries from receiving their vitally important medications.…”