Bringing Uninsured and Underinsured Issues Into the Spotlight in the Louisiana State...

Bringing Uninsured and Underinsured Issues Into the Spotlight in the Louisiana
State Legislature

Health Screening and Education Event Hosted to Promote Importance of
Prevention and Early Detection

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Men's Health Network has
partnered with Pfizer Helpful Answers, the Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center School of Nursing and the Louisiana Association of Nurse
Practitioners to offer a health screening and education event to the Louisiana
State Legislature members and staff.

In a time when almost 850,000 Louisianans are uninsured, a staggering 20% of
the state's population in 2007, it is more important than ever to make sure
that our legislative leaders not only take care of their health, but have the
tools and resources to help their constituents do the same.(1) Studies have
shown that the uninsured are less likely to regularly visit a physician or
have a usual source of care. In fact, according to the 2007 National Health
Information Survey data, among adults aged 19 to 64, 48% of those who are
uninsured in the U.S. had no usual source of medical care and 46% of uninsured
Americans either delayed or did not receive medical care in the past 12 months
due to cost.(2)

"We see this event as an innovative and impactful way to reach legislators and
staff with important health information and resources that they can in turn
share with their constituents and improve the health of all Louisianans," said
Scott Williams, vice president for Men's Health Network.

The June 1 event will offer preventive health screenings that are key in early
detection and are imperative in preventing premature death and ensuring a high
quality of life. From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., cholesterol, glucose, blood
pressure and body fat screenings will be administered in the Louisiana State
Capitol Building in the Rotunda on the Senate side.

One of the event's sponsors is Pfizer Helpful Answers(R), a family of patient
assistance programs that helps the uninsured and underinsured access Pfizer
medicines. Today, it is the largest and most extensive initiative of its kind
in the U.S. Pfizer Helpful Answers provides Pfizer medicines for free or at a
savings to patients who qualify. The most recent program to be launched under
Pfizer Helpful Answers - called Pfizer MAINTAIN(TM) - helps recently
unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their insurance and who
are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment for free for up to one year.
All of Pfizer's patient assistance programs can be reached by calling a single
phone number (1-866-706-2400) or by visiting www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.

"We are pleased to support Men's Health Network, and their efforts to keep the
needs of Louisiana's uninsured and underinsured front and center," said Gary
Pelletier, director of Pfizer Helpful Answers. "Without insurance, millions of
Americans face the challenge of staying healthy and preventing disease without
access to health care. Our partnership with Men's Health Network, and our
presence at today's event, means that we can continue to spread the word about
programs that help uninsured patients get access to prescription medicines."

In the face of continued economic struggles and job losses that so many
Americans are facing, health screenings and education play an important role
in keeping communities healthy. At today's event, Men's Health Network will
share valuable information about patient assistance programs with legislators
and their staff to help their constituents without prescription drug coverage
gain access to the medicines they need.

About Pfizer Helpful Answers(R)
Pfizer Helpful Answers is a family of patient assistance programs for the
uninsured and underinsured who need help getting Pfizer medicines. Today, it
is the largest and most extensive initiative in the United States. Pfizer
Helpful Answers provides Pfizer medicines for free or at a savings to patients
who qualify. Some programs also offer reimbursement support services for
people with insurance. Pfizer Helpful Answers is a joint program of Pfizer
Inc and the Pfizer Patient Assistance Foundation(TM).

About Men's Health Network
Men's Health Network (www.menshealthnetwork.org) is a national non-profit
organization whose mission is to reach men and their families where they live,
work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening
programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient
navigation.

(1)Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
estimates based on the Census Bureau's March 2007 and 2008 Current Population
Survey, http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?ind=125&cat=3&rgn=2
(2)Based on 2007 National Health Information Survey data

SOURCE Men's Health Network

Theresa Morrow of Men's Health Network, +1-202-543-6461 x101,
events@menshealthnetwork.org