VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amerigroup Corporation's (NYSE: AGP) National Advisory Board (NAB) announced the launch of a new, innovative toolkit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night. Consisting of 38 different resources, the collection of tools is designed to inform legislators, advocates and consumers on how to apply independent living philosophies to health care.

The toolkit, "Managed Care: Doing It Right; Applying the Independent Living Philosophy," is an advancement of the NAB's 2009 report "Declaration for Independence: A Call to Transform Health and Long-Term Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities" and is built upon the NAB's "Six Principles to Modernize the Health Infrastructure."

"These tools will empower individuals to make a difference in securing the future of independent living," said Amerigroup Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James G. Carlson. "I appreciate the leadership of the National Advisory Board in promoting greater accessibility to services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities."

Recently celebrating its fifth anniversary, the NAB is a distinguished group of advocates and experts in the fields of disability and aging. The resources cover a wide range of information regarding legislation, methodology and policy recommendations on how Medicaid and Medicare members may live healthier and more independent lives.

"We are hopeful this resource will encourage and inform individuals to influence public policy as it relates to health care and services," stated Lex Frieden, convener of the NAB. "Our goal is to initiate change in this nation, so individuals will be able to live not only independently, but actively in their communities."

This initial presentation marks the first of several events as the NAB embarks on a national tour to raise awareness among policymakers, advocates and the research community.

About the National Advisory Board
In 2007, Amerigroup developed a first for the health care industry: a national advisory board focused solely on meeting the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. As a board, the members are people with disabilities; children of aging parents; parents of children and adults with disabilities; and sisters, brothers, spouses, children and friends of people with disabilities. They represent millions of Americans with disabilities and seniors and their family members, who have struggled with the complexities of our fragmented health care system. The board is convened by Lex Frieden, who played an instrumental role in the creation of the Disabilities Act of 1990. To request a copy of the toolkit "Managed Care: Doing It Right; Applying the Independent Living Philosophy" please click here.

About Amerigroup Corporation
Amerigroup, a Fortune 500 Company, coordinates services for individuals in publicly funded health care programs. Currently serving more than 2.7 million members in 13 states nationwide, Amerigroup expects to expand operations to its 14(th) state, Kansas, as a result of previously awarded state contract. Amerigroup is dedicated to offering real solutions that improve health care access and quality for its members, while proactively working to reduce the overall cost of care to taxpayers. Amerigroup accepts all eligible people regardless of age, sex, race or disability. For more information, please visit www.amerigroup.com. 


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SOURCE Amerigroup Corporation