Project Description Narrative:
Both the connection to health care and its affordability have worsened for many adults living with chronic health conditions. Specifically, uninsured individuals with chronic diseases frequently do not have access, because of financial hardship and the high cost of pharmaceuticals, to the required medications needed to control their conditions and avoid costly and debilitating complications. A retrospective study of adults with chronic illness, reported in DiabetesCare in 2005, indicated that 78% of patients whose incomes fall under 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and who subsequently report cost-related medication programs, are consistenly under-using prescribed medication. This translates into millions of Americans who cut back on their medication every month because of cost — and translates into increased costs and burden upon the health care system. A $1 increase in pharmaceutical expenditure is associated with a $3.65 reduction in hospital care expenditure.
While many pharmaceutical companies sponsor patient assistance programs (PAP), the challenge for patients and clinics are the myriad drug companies (500 nationwide) that each offer select medications and each have their own application process and eligibility criteria, resulting in a process that can be confusing, complex, and ultimately prevent patients from receiving and benefitting from medications. In addition, many free clinics are small and lack the human capital to assist patients in filling out PAP forms or maintain the processes related to the submission, receipt, refill, or renewal of completed applications — nor do they have the storage capacity to keep medications on site.
Milwaukee's Bread of Healing Clinic (BOHC) identified access to medication as critical to the ability to control the chronic medical problems presented by uninsured patients, specifically uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. In 2007, BOHC expanded its medication access program to incorporate pharmaceutical companies' PAPs. Through this award, partners will pilot an expansion of the clinic's Community MedShare PAP program to include all three BOHC locations and five other free clinics in Milwaukee to increase the capacity of free clinics to be more of a safety net for Milwaukee's uninsured. The project will aim to increase access to free or low-cost medications for more than 10,000 working and uninsured individuals in Milwaukee through targeted activities including the use of trained volunteers.
Community partners: Greater Milwaukee Free Clinic, Marquette Women & Children's Clinic, Medical College of Wisconsin Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured, Salvation Army Homeless Clinic, The Free and Community Clinic Collaborative, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee House of Peace Community Nursing Center