Washington State, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its effort to support
uninsured and financially struggling Washingtonians, the "Help is Here
Express" bus will stop in nine locations throughout our state beginning
Monday, June 1 - Friday, June 5. Beginning in Spokane, travelling through
Pasco, Prosser and Yakima, arriving in Everett on June 3, and travelling
through Seattle, Olympia, and Longview, the bus will be concluding its tour in
Vancouver on June 5.
The bus, sponsored by The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), is
helping the uninsured and those in need with resources and information on
programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. In
Washington state, unemployment rates have nearly doubled in the past year,
from 5.1 percent in March 2008 to 9.7 percent in March 2009.
Since 2006, the PPA has helped more than 188,900 Washingtonians find out if
they qualify for free or discounted medicines. By partnering with local
clinics, such as the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Sea Mar Community
Health Center and Southwest Washington Medical Center, the PPA can assist
those who are sometimes the hardest to reach and yet the most in need.
Patients who qualify for help from the PPA's participating patient assistance
programs have access to more than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription
medicines.
"At a time when unemployment is the highest in almost two decades, the PPA can
become an important lifeline for a growing number of patients," said PhRMA
President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "Millions of Americans have been added to the
jobless rolls, and there could be a sharp increase in the number of our
citizens losing health care benefits."
To learn about patient assistance programs that may meet their needs, patients
should attend the event in their city. If they can't attend, they can still
connect to a program by calling 888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669) to speak with a
trained specialist, or by visiting www.pparx.org.
About The Partnership for Prescription Assistance: PPA is a nationwide effort
sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies, providing a single
point of access to more than 475 assistance programs that help those who are
uninsured or struggling financially. The PPA has helped over 188,900
Washingtonians discover if they qualify for free or discounted medicines.
MEDIA CONTACT
For PPA and "Help is Here Express":
Casey Parks, 206-323-3733
SOURCE The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
