MMAP wins Gools Award for Social Change

The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program – a free, comprehensive health care coverage counseling and advocacy service offered statewide -- is the winner of the 2017 Stephen J. Gools Award for Social Change.

MMAP, with its hundreds-strong corps of staff and trained volunteer counselors, impacts every Michigan county. In 2015 alone they served well over 100,000 beneficiaries, banking over $90 million saved back to the pockets of seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Gools Award is given annually to the individual, couple, group or non-profit organization that has significantly contributed to positive social change. The award is named for former AARP Michigan State Director Stephen Gools, who passed away in 2011 after a career of distinguished public service.

“Whether it’s in helping people understand their coverage options during the rush of annual Medicare and private insurance enrollment periods, sorting out changes in support programs and benefit packages, or fighting medical fraud and wrongful benefit reductions, our MMAP has been there,” AARP National President Eric Schneidewind said when presenting the award to MMAP Executive Director Jo Murphy.

“MMAP has rescued and preserved both health and financial security of communities over and over again, case by case – and with huge impact, saving many homes, lives and futures,” Schneidewind added.

Learn more about MMAP at http://mmapinc.org/