Helpful bus stops

By DawnDee Bostwick
The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN March 20, 2008 06:25 pm

— For many families without insurance, and for some with insurance, the cost of prescription medications might often mean a choice between groceries and antibiotics, gasoline or insulin.
Legislation has come and gone with the intent of helping these families afford medications more easily. Sometimes, though, legislation just isn’t enough.
But there is hope for people struggling with the affordability of their medication.
Many programs that will help people pay for their prescription drugs exist. Some are supported by the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the drugs. Some are supported by businesses and individuals not related to the pharmaceutical industry.
Finding out which programs one qualifies for and which medications it might help cover can be a tall task. Literally hundreds of the programs are available. That’s where The Partnership for Prescription Assistance program comes into play.
Known fondly as the “Big Orange Bus” and supported by spokesman Montel Williams, the goal behind the organization is to help match families with the medication assistance programs for which they qualify.
“We help America’s uninsured get access to free or nearly free prescription medicine,” PPA spokeswoman Jennifer Page said.
Launched in April 2005, the PPA bus has toured all 50 states and helped nearly 5 million Americans gain access to prescription assistance programs. In Oklahoma, the group has matched almost 80,000 citizens with help. Equipped with computers and staff members, the “Big Orange Bus” has everything it needs to aid individuals in learning which programs might meet their needs.
“We actually wanted to make it easier to help people find the information,” Page said.
“This way, they can access the information under one roof.”
Taking it a step further, they’ll help one fill out the forms necessary to apply to the programs that cover more than 2,500 prescription drugs.
PPA has a toll free number — 1-888-4PPA-NOW and a Web site — www.pparx.org, where individuals can find out which medication assistance programs might be able to help them with the cost of their medications.

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