Oak Crest was proud to serve as the Baltimore County host for the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (MPDA) listening session on the evening of February 18. More than 75 residents welcomed the opportunity to attend the forum and provide input on the cost of prescription drugs and related issues.

The panelists for the event were Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, MPDA Board Member Ebere Onukwugha, Maryland AARP Advocate Jim Gutman and Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative President Vincent DeMarco. Congressman John Sarbanes, whose district includes Oak Crest, attended the forum and provided remarks.

The MPDA was established under a state law passed last year. By 2023, it will recommend to lawmakers the prices for drugs that state and local governments offer to their employees and retirees.

Jim Fennessey is a resident of Oak Crest who also serves as the community’s president of the Maryland Continuing Care Residents Association (MaCCRA). “I was aware that MPDA had been created and wanted to learn more,” stated Mr. Fennessey. “I came away encouraged that Maryland is considered a national leader on this topic and impressed that Oak Crest management facilitated such an important event.”

Many thanks to Team Oak Crest for the collaborative effort to make this event a success, including Resident Life & Oak Crest TV, General Services & Security and Administration. Special appreciation is extended to Mark Roussey, Adam Dickson and Nadine Wellington for greeting the dignitaries and panelists to our community.

About Oak Crest: Oak Crest, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 87-acre campus in Parkville, Maryland. The not-for-profit community of more than 2,100 residents and 1,250 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of Oak Crest. Additional information can be found at OakCrestCommunity.com.