According to recent statistics, 10 cents of the American healthcare dollar is spent on prescription medications. So many Americans today are burdened with high-cost prescription medications, with uninsured or underinsured people left without options. Most of the time, the poorest citizens suffer the most when it comes to affording much needed medicine, along with other everyday expenses, such as groceries. Sometimes, the poor - many times the elderly - must make hard decisions when it comes to buying lifesaving medicine or eating. In the wintertime, this tough situation is known as the "heat or eat" dilemma. The same holds true for buying prescription medications all year long.

That is why the Christian Appalachian Project began the Prescription Assistance Program. It all started in 1994, when George Archer, Director of Senior Advantage at Highlands Regional Medical Center, trained two volunteers from the Christian Appalachian Project to contact pharmaceutical companies and receive discount medications on behalf of the participant. From there, Prescription Assistance was born and today serves participants in counties in Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd and Lawrence Counties with a coverage area that extends to surrounding counties. There is no age limit to participate in the Prescription Assistance Program; however, income guidelines do apply.

To a patient who has a condition and must depend on maintenance medication to maintain good health, the program is ideal. Medications for blood pressure problems, depression, diabetes and other chronic, long-term illnesses are often distributed in a three-month supply. Last year, the Christian Appalachian Project Prescription Assistance Program helped 2,586 people of all ages and all conditions by either obtaining free or reduced medicines from various pharmaceutical companies.

If you would like more information about CAP's Prescription Assistance Program, contact Manager Teresa Gullett at 606-789-9791 or you may visit the main office at 6550 U.S. 321 South, Hagerhill, Kentucky, 41222.