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(HealthNewsDigest.com)-Data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that nearly 51 million Americans lacked health insurance coverage in 2009, marking an increase in uninsurance by more than 4 million Americans since 2008. This is the first year since 1987–the year comparable health insurance data was first collected—that the number of Americans with health insurance has decreased. What’s more, rates of individuals covered by private insurance and employment-based insurance are at their lowest levels since 1987.
Without coverage, many Americans have difficulty accessing needed medical care, including prescription medicines. In fact, today, more than one in four uninsured Americans do not fill their prescriptions due to cost. An inability to pay for needed medical care means the uninsured are less likely to receive preventive care, are more likely to be hospitalized for conditions that could have been prevented and are more likely to die in the hospital than those with insurance.
According to the new census data, geographically, the number of uninsured individuals increased across all regions of the U.S since 2008, demonstrating that people everywhere are struggling with issues like getting preventive medical treatment and paying for medicine.
Many people are unaware that help is out there for America’s uninsured. Many pharmaceutical companies have programs that offer help to patients who lack prescription drug coverage and cannot afford needed medicines. Pfizer’s family of patient assistance programs is called Pfizer Helpful Answers®. Pfizer Helpful Answers helps eligible uninsured and underinsured patients who need assistance accessing their Pfizer medicines. These programs offer Pfizer medicines for free or at a savings to patients who qualify. Some programs also offer reimbursement services for people with insurance.
“The new census data shows the impact the economic downturn has had on Americans’ ability to access health care, including prescription medicines,” explained Gary Pelletier, director of Pfizer Helpful Answers. “Pfizer is constantly working to evolve our programs to meet the changing needs of people without adequate health care coverage. The fact that nearly 51 million Americans are without health insurance shows that patient assistance programs like Pfizer’s are highly relevant today.”
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more information about Pfizer’s patient assistance programs or to check your eligibility status, call (866) 706-2400 or visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.
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