S.A.D. Associate Mary Ann Kern
          Awarded for her dedication

S.A.D. was formed in January 2003 by co-founders Joan Andersen and Vincent Rutkowski against the senior issue of paying the huge rates that Suffolk and Rockland counties in New York State were paying to the HMO's while the five boroughs of New York City paid nothing for the same benefits. We collected 24,000 signatures on these Medicare/HMO problems, and had three rallies on this issue. We went to Washington with the petitions and our premiums were cut in half in 2004. Our premiums were raised again in 2005 and 2006. During our first rally we were told we would be equal with the five boroughs in 2006. We became a registered, not for profit Association on September 23rd,2003. We are also a non-partisan group. We have a staff of associates who work hard on senior issues. We are always looking for volunteers. S.A.D. had a lawsuit to help us stop the discrimination regarding the HMO's. The attorney's handled the case pro bono, with S.A.D. members providing only court costs and filing fees. In September 2007 SAD lost the case in Federal Court before Federal Judge Hurley While we lost the battle we must continue to fight to win the war.

We are a proactive grassroots community based association dedicated to educate and provide information to seniors with regard to their health and welfare. The ultimate aim is to collectively initiate and support legislation to assure, maintain and advance the quality of life for seniors, with an emphasis on Medicare, Medicaid, COLA (cost of living adjustment, freezing of school taxes, taxing of social security and the Part "D" drug plan. If our political representatives do not help us then we must replace them.