The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) announced the award of more than $2.7 million in grant funding to 46 organizations over two years for the continuation of its Medication Assistance Program (MAP). HWTF’s MAP grantees assist low-income citizens to identify optimal prescription drug coverage options from public/private programs and provide them with direct assistance in obtaining medications.
In 2005, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) listed HWTF’s MAP program as a “significant safety net for the uninsured” in its NC Healthcare Safety Net Report. According to the NCIOM, North Carolina is one of three states projected to have the highest proportional increases in number of the uninsured. Also, between 2007 and 2009, North Carolina saw an increase of 322,000 in the total number of uninsured residents.
“I am proud of the Medication Assistance Program, which has worked with pharmaceutical companies to help more than 64,000 patients navigate the health care system and receive more than $209 million in free medications,” said Governor Bev Perdue, former HWTF Chair. “These grants will enable North Carolina’s low-income citizens to continue to get the medications they need.” HWTF awarded continued grant funding to these existing MAP projects in response to Governor Perdue’s budget proposal that recommended continued funding for this critical service.
To date, HWTF has invested over $21.5 million in grants to community organizations for providing these services, yielding an 11-to-1 return on investment over the last six years. MAP grantees use computer software to identify generic drugs and special free and low-cost medication programs from pharmaceutical companies. Since January 2003, MAP has helped North Carolina residents access over 640,000 prescriptions, providing over $209 million in free medications.
“The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund is pleased that we are able to extend the funding for current Medication Assistance Program grantees,” said Vandana Shah, HWTF Executive Director. “These grant awards can continue to help residents who are struggling to make ends meet.”
The full list of grant awards can be viewed at: www.healthwellnc.com (click on “Funding Opportunities” in the upper right hand corner).