DALLAS, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., , a premier provider of business process and information technology outsourcing solutions, announced today that Martin Schuh, a member of ACS’ State Healthcare line of business, has been appointed to a special federal commission that will help transition beneficiaries to the Medicare Drug Benefit program in 2006.
Mr. Schuh, who heads External Affairs for ACS State Healthcare, is one of 24 members appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson to serve on the State Pharmaceutical Assistance Transition Commission. The commission was mandated by the new Medicare Modernization Act to assure that certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries who now receive assistance with their prescription drugs through state-sponsored programs will not see their benefits reduced or their paperwork increased.
The new commission’s charter includes developing legislative and administrative proposals aimed at easing the transition of low-income Medicare beneficiaries from state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) to the new Medicare drug benefit that becomes effective in 2006. A report from the group is due to the President and Congress in January 2005.
Serving as a commission member and participating in various subcommittees, Mr. Schuh will contribute private sector expertise essential to the commission’s recommendations for the transition into new Medicare-Approved Prescription Drug Plans or Medicare-Advantage Prescription Drug Programs. Mr. Schuh currently leads company initiatives surrounding the Medicare Prescription Drug Card as well as government and association outreach activities for ACS’ Medicare team.
“This appointment further positions ACS to become an authority on migrating current SPAP enrollees to the new Medicare drug benefit in 2006,” said Harvey V. Braswell, Group President of ACS State Healthcare Solutions. “By leveraging our years of experience working with states to deliver much needed pharmaceutical assistance to those most in need, ACS has positioned itself to be a leader in the evolving Medicare Pharmacy Benefit Management program. We are delighted by Martin’s appointment and remain optimistic in helping lead the way towards Medicare part D.”
ACS is a national leader in state healthcare program administration, offering a full spectrum of systems and complementary services through an integrated solution. From care management solutions and child health programs, to pharmacy benefits management and traditional Medicaid fiscal agent services, ACS has a proven track record and extensive program management expertise. ACS is also a pioneer in fraud and abuse protection and other cost containment methodologies, and is known for its collaborative approach to client relationships that produce results over the long-term. ACS supports 27 states with government healthcare services programs, including processing over 450 million Medicaid claims annually totaling more than $42 billion in payments. As the nation’s largest government program pharmacy benefits administrator, ACS serves 20 programs in 17 states with drug expenditures totaling over $13 billion.
ACS, a Fortune 500 company with more than 43,000 people supporting client operations in nearly 100 countries, provides business process and information technology outsourcing solutions to world-class commercial and government clients. The company’s Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ACS”. ACS makes technology work. Visit ACS on the Internet at http://www.acs-inc.com/ .
The statements in this news release that do not directly relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. As such, no assurance can be given that the actual events and results will not be materially different than the anticipated results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. For a description of these factors, see the Company’s prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Form 10-K. ACS disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event, or otherwise.
ACS, Inc.
CONTACT: investor relations, Warren Edwards, Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer, +1-214-841-8082, or warren.edwards@acs-inc.com , ormedia, Lesley Pool, Senior Vice President-Chief Marketing Officer,+1-214-841-8028, or lesley.pool@acs-inc.com , both of Affiliated ComputerServices, Inc.
Web site: http://www.acs-inc.com/
