SHIP WEEK HONORS INSURANCE COUNSELORS, INCLUDES LOCAL EVENTS

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan proclaimed June 7-11, 1999, as SHIP Week in Illinois to honor more than 800 volunteers who provide free health insurance counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) trains volunteers to assist Illinois citizens who have problems with Medicare, Medicare supplement, Medicare HMOs, long term care and other types of health care insurance. SHIP is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Insurance in cooperation with community organizations around the state.

"SHIP Week in Illinois recognizes a dedicated team of men and women who exemplify the volunteer spirit in Illinois," Ryan said. "This special group of people devote countless hours learning the intricacies of Medicare and related insurance programs. The commitment of the volunteer network is vital to the success of the SHIP counseling program," he said.

In 1998, SHIP volunteers logged 14,600 hours in 12,450 counseling sessions that saved Illinois seniors $897,000. Ryan said "SHIP Week" gives public recognition to volunteers and reminds seniors about the program.

SHIP offices are located in nearly every county in Illinois. Many communities have planned special SHIP Week activities ranging from free health care screening and expanded counseling hours to information booths in malls and grocery stores. For further information on SHIP or to access the free counseling services, call 1-800-548-9034.

"SHIP Week" activities will be held in the following communities:
Bartlett -- Hanover Township
Belvidere -- Boone County Council on Aging
Breese -- St. Joseph's Hospital
Carthage -- West Central Illinois RSVP
Champaign -- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Chicago -- Edgewater Medical Center
Chicago -- Woodlawn Adult Health Center
Chicago Heights -- Bloom Township
Clinton -- American Red Cross
Decatur -- St. Mary's Hospital
Elgin -- Provena-St. Joseph Hospital
Galesburg -- OSF St. Mary Medical Center
Lombard -- Lombard YMCA
Macomb -- McDonough District Hospital
McLeansboro -- WADI Senior Nutrition
Mendota -- Mendota Area Senior Services, Inc.
Morris -- Grundy County Health Department
Oregon -- Ogle County Senior Services
Orland Park -- Orland Township
Park Ridge -- The Center of Concern
Quincy -- Adams County RSVP
Rockford -- Cornerstone Resources, Inc.
Springfield -- Senior Services of Central Illinois
Sullivan -- Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc.
Toledo -- Life Center of Cumberland County
Watseka -- Department of Public Health
Waukegan -- Provena-St. Therese Medical Center