Free Programs Help Uninsured Americans Pay For Medicine

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Free Programs Help Uninsured Americans Pay For Medicine (NAPSA)—Programs from America’s pharmaceutical companies are helping Americans in minority communities that are hit hard by rising health care costs. Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one in five African-Americans live without health insurance. For people with diseases—such as diabetes and cancer—it is very important to have access to doctors, medical tests and prescription medicines. However, without insurance it can be tough to get this necessary care. Disease has a very harmful effect on the African-American community. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices, African-Americans are more likely to die from cancer than any other ethnic or racial group. Disease affects uninsured and insured people alike. So how can uninsured patients get the care they need? The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is a service from America’s pharmaceutical companies. It helps low-income, uninsured and underinsured Americans get needed medicine. People whocall the PPA can also find out about free health care Alvin Estelle receives free medicines from Pfizer. clinics in their area. There are more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs that provide free or nearly free medicines. The PPA can help people figure out which ones they may potentially qualify for. Simply visit www.PPARx.org or call 888-477-2669. One such patient assistance program is Pfizer Helpful Answers, a family of programs that helps uninsured Americans get Pfizer medicines for free or at a savings. Since 2002, the program has helped more than 5 million people get their Pfizer medicines. Alvin Estelle is one of the millions of patients who have received prescription assistance through Pfizer Helpful Answers. Estelle is a patient at a community health center in Waco, Texas that helps him get his medicinesfor free. “T have been going to the same clinic for my health care for 25 years. My clinic participates in a Pfizer program for uninsured people, so I am able to get my Pfizer medicine right there, for free.” Estelle’s clinic is one of more than 430 community health centers in the U.S. that partner with Pfizer to help their patients get medicines for free or ata savings. The company also partners with doctors’ offices, hospitals and pharmacies to help the uninsured get access to their Pfizer medicines. “I am truly grateful to the staff at the clinic and the assistance Pfizer provides so I can get the care and medicine that is essential for my health and well-being,” said Estelle. Uninsured Americanscan get help paying for their Pfizer medicines, no matter their age or income, by calling 866-706-2400 or by visiting www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com. If you are uninsured and need medical care or prescription medicines, help is out there. Don’t give up on goodhealth.

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