To Your Health-April 14, 2005

Partnership addresses needs of uninsured

By: Dr Terry Shlimbaum
   Did you know there are 45 million uninsured individuals in the United States, and over one million reside in New Jersey?
   In order to better serve the uninsured residents of Hunterdon County, the Medication Access Partnership was formed to address health-care issues for residents in need.
   Collaborating members of this partnership include Hunterdon Healthcare System, Hunterdon County Department of Health and Public Health Nursing and Education, Hunterdon County Department of Human Services, Hunterdon County Division of Senior Services, Institute for Medicine Access and Compliance, Board of Chosen Freeholders, Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce and more than 15 religious congregations and six pharmacies throughout the county.
   The Medication Access Partnership is designed to help connect individuals with the prescription medications they need as well as to educate the community on resources available to assist them in leading a healthier life.
   If you’d like to talk to someone about the Medication Access Partnership, be sure to mark May 2 on your calendar. May 2, the Hunterdon Medical Center will host an uninsured fair from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in meeting rooms A and B of the hospital.
   The event will feature information on the Medication Access Program, HMC Charity Care and other resources offered by the Hunterdon Medical Center and community organizations.
   For more information about the fair, call Michelle Burns-Mitchell, community development manager for Hunterdon Healthcare System, at (908) 788-6413.
   Can’t make it to the fair? To learn more about the Hunterdon County Medication Access Partnership, I encourage you call the Hunterdon Healthcare System at (908) 788-6572 or visit www.imaac.org.
   Be sure to ask if you qualify for discounts on your existing medications or if you are eligible for free prescriptions.