FREE MEDICATION PROGRAM FOR WEST VIRGINIANS

(04/02/2008)

West Virginians without any health insurance will be able to get free prescription medication through the mail under a new program launched this week. After several years of promised legislative action to help state residents with the high cost of prescription drugs, two public interest groups have stepped up to the plate. The legislature has been heavily lobbied by the drug companies, ending in a number of rather meaningless announcements claiming "help is on the way." West Virginia Rx, is a partnership between the state and a number of health clinics, private groups and drug companies, the free program is aimed at improving the overall health of the state's 245,000 uninsured residents. Health Right clinics in Charleston and Beckley will oversee the program, but residents from all across West Virginia will be able to get free medication by mail. The medication is being donated by pharmaceutical companies. People without insurance often wait until ailments are so severe they require emergency treatment, which adds to the expense of their health problem. Others cut medications in half, trying to afford the prescriptions. The National Institutes of Health study says that uninsured people with regular access to prescription drugs have 40 percent fewer emergency room visits. See www.wvrx.org

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