Rx Help Available for Nation’s Largest Uninsured Population

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Hispanics account for the largest percentage of Americans without health insurance, according to a 2010 release by Pfizer. Now, any member of the Hispanic community without insurance can purchase their medicine at a reasonable cost. The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership,  a proud partner of United Way recently launched a Spanish version of their website, which provides access to a free prescription discount card that can be used by anyone at most major pharmacies. FamilyWize hopes that the new website will overcome language barriers to the Hispanic public and provide useful information, in Spanish, about FamilyWize and the card.

 

"The launch of the Spanish version of FamilyWize is another step forward for FamilyWize and our community partners as we work together to help as many people as possible get the medicine they need,” says Dan Barnes, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of FamilyWize. “30 percent of the people in the United States that have no health insurance are Hispanic and this is one of the ways we are reaching out to bring help to them through our efforts." In a September 2010 Pfizer release, it was stated that Hispanics are more likely to work in small businesses, part-time or lower wage jobs and industries that are less likely to offer employees health insurance.  Pfizer continues to say that by 2050, Hispanics are projected to make up 30 percent of the US population and 31 percent of working-age adults. According to FamilyWize, these statistics raise concerns about the future health of the US working-age population.  “We believe it is critical that patients understand the positive, long-term effects of filling, using, and re-filling medication as prescribed,” says Sharon Galzarano, R.Ph. "Being able to afford one's prescriptions is the logical first step to successful medication therapy, and ultimately, to better health." The benefit of the free FamilyWize prescription discount card is that it requires no sign-up or personal information to download or use. Anyone can take the card to their local pharmacist to receive a discount up to 75 percent off prescription medications. Many card users are surprised by the simplicity of using the FamilyWize card. "I didn't know there were cards like FamilyWize, especially for the great help they give us to get discounts on medicine and to improve our quality of life,” says one card user. FamilyWize hopes that the new Spanish website will clarify any questions about using the card. There are over 80 million people who still need help, but are unaware that a program like this exists. “We are hoping everyone will volunteer just one minute of their time to tell their friends and spread the word to their co-workers about this important free help,” says Dan Barnes, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of FamilyWize. “Your local participating United Way will be happy to supply anyone with extra cards to give family and friends. Or you can help just by putting a link on your Facebook page, or emailing a link to espanol.familywize.org to everyone you know.” In the midst of an uncertain economic climate, FamilyWize and nearly 1,000 United Way partners are helping to eliminate the need to choose between necessary expenses and filling prescription medications. The free FamilyWize discount prescription card is honored by all pharmacy chains like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS, Pathmark, Waldbaums, and many others including local community pharmacies. FamilyWize’s new Spanish website, espanol.familywize.org, provides Spanish-speakers relevant information about the card and FamilyWis well as the ability to download a free prescription discount card that can save up to 75% on medicine costs, a discount that is sometimes even greater than what insurance coverage offers.

 

The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership was established in the fall of 2005 to help people get the medicine they need. Today, more than 1,000 participating United Ways and America’s Promise Alliance Partners in all 50 states coordinate the local distribution of the free FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards which lower the cost of medicine by up to 75% to make it more affordable. As of December 2012, the free FamilyWize cards have helped more than 5 million people save almost $440 million. For more information, visit familywize.org/about-us.