For those in Georgia who don't have prescription assistance and are having difficulty getting the medicines they need, fortunately, there are programs

that can help.

All of us want to be h e a l t h y, but as anyone who does not h a v e health ins u r a n c e can tell you: the road to good health is not always easy. There are nearly 46 million people in the United States, including 9 million in Georgia, without health insurance. Many more Americans simply lack insurance for prescription drugs.

Without access to doctors, medical tests and prescription medicines, the uninsured often wait until conditions become critical - and more difficult and costly to treat - before seeking care. Nearly half of the uninsured have postponed needed care, and at least 18,000 Americans die prematurely each year because they lack health coverage.

If you have no access to prescription drugs, the following may help you:

Pfizer has a program that helps people without prescription coverage, no matter their age or income. People with limited incomes may even qualify to get their Pfizer medicines for free. For more information, call 1-800-706-2400 or visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.

Another access to prescription drugs is The Partnership for Prescription Assistance. It is a pharmaceutical industry program that offers a single point of access to more than 475 patient prescription assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. For more information, call 1-888-477-2669 or visit www.PPARx.org.

Another access to prescription drugs is Together Rx Access. This is a prescription savings program sponsored by 10 pharmaceutical companies. It provides savings on a wide range of prescription products at the pharmacy counter to eligible patients without prescription coverage. For more information, call 1-800-444-4106 or visit www.TogetherRxAccess.com.

Persons who can qualify for Low Income Subsidy on the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program can still enroll. If you, as an individual, earn $14,700 per year or less and a couple that earns $19,800 or less per year can apply for a Part D Plan.

For additional information, call Don A. Gay, Georgia Cares Coordinator, at 478-982-8526.