Crowley Helps Uninsured Get Access To Medications

Congressmember Joseph Crowley

Some Queens residents who do not have healthcare insurance or do not have adequate coverage, got a helping hand on Monday from Congressmember Joseph Crowley

The Elmhurst lawmaker arranged for the "Help Is Here Express" to come to Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) in Jackson Heights this past Monday, February 5. Uninsured and underinsured persons were invited to obtain the prescription drugs they need at little or no cost.

At the event, Crowley (D- Queens/The Bronx) was also joined by specialists from Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), who uses TV talk show host Montel Williams as a spokesperson, is conducting a national tour with the Help Is Here Express.

Crowley explained that PPA assists uninsured and underinsured individuals in finding programs for which they are eligible that provide medications for free or at little cost.

Crowley said that participants provide basic information about themselves and their medications. This information helps in the process of finding a program, with the aid of PPA officials and EHC personnel and translators, to cut healthcare costs.

"Many people in my district and across America are struggling to pay for the prescription medications they need and have little or no health insurance to help mitigate the costs," Crowley said. "We should do all in our power to make sure that the financial burden of affording these costly drugs is lessened for the under- and uninsured."

Crowley said that under the PPA program, more than 2,500 different brandname and generic prescription medicines are available through participating patient assistance programs.

The ranks of the uninsured include college students, single moms and seniors with little or no insurance. "Often they are eligible for more assistance in purchasing expensive prescription drugs than they realize," Crowley said.

Speaking about the event at the hospital, Crowley said, "Today hopefully, more people who are uninsured or underinsured will learn more about accessing these drugs prescribed for them by their doctors."

He thanked the EHC staff for their participation in the event.

Chris Constantino, EHC executive director, said, "Elmhurst Hospital Center distributes medications to our patients at low or no cost. The partnership with PPA will benefit our patients while helping to offset costs the hospital incurs. We thank Congressman Joseph Crowley for hosting this great event to improve access to prescription drugs for the uninsured."

Crowley, who serves on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means that oversees tax and health policy, has consistently fought to reduce drug and healthcare costs. Last month, he was joined by House Democrats in voting to cut the cost of health care and improve access to medicines by requiring the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to negotiate lower drug prices with drug companies for Medicare beneficiaries.