HEALTH NOTES


• Lisa Wallace is a nurse 2, psychiatric, at Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center. She must have major surgery. To donate leave, call the facility at 845-374- 8929. • Robert Weaver is a project assistant for the state Statewide Financial System in Albany. He continues to be treated for severe complications to West Nile virus and had surgery in May. To donate leave, call Lorissa Camarda at the state Division of Budget human relations department at 518-474-7366. • Bill Wiemers is a teacher 4 at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. He has a debilitating autoimmune disease that reduces his ability to work on a regular basis. To donate leave, call the facility at 914-941-0108, extension 3600. The rules for making and receiving leave donations are set forth on page 148 of the PS&T Contract. If you, or a PEF member you know, needs leave donations because of a medical issue, you may contact The Communicator to request publication of that need. Send requests to thecommunicator@pef.org, or call 800-342-4306, ext. 271. Be sure to provide your contact information.


Empire Plan eliminates copay for preventive breast cancer drugs


Here’s good news for Empire Plan enrollees or their covered dependents who are prescribed drugs to prevent breast cancer.


Effective January 1, 2015, the Empire Plan eliminated the copayment for the drugs Tamoxifen and Raloxifene when they are prescribed for breast-cancer prevention.


Several clinical trials have shown these medications


can decrease the chances of developing breast cancer in women who have an increased risk of developing the disease. Tamoxifen is approved for use in women age 35 and older, and Raloxifene is approved for use in postmenopausal women.


The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that health care providers talk with their patients who are at increased risk for breast cancer about taking medications such as Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. See your provider for more information.


— Deborah Stayman


www.pef.org


Facebook.com/PublicEmployeesFederation


The Communicator July/August 2015 — Page 15


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