A lack of access to prescription medications creates significant burdens on the health care system. Visits to emergency rooms (ERs) are rising. The National Health Policy Forum estimates 75% of all ER visits are for non-emergencies, many of which could have been managed with prescription medications.

The nation's brandname pharmaceutical companies operate over 158 different Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), which provide many medications free of charge to eligible, uninsured patients with chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, depression, asthma). While these programs offer tremendous support to thousands, each is different and has its own forms, procedures and eligibility criteria. It is difficult and time-consuming to complete multiple applications without help. Fortunately, Virginia has The Pharmacy Connection (TPC), a special software created by VHCF to facilitate access to the free prescription medications in these PAPs.

In an effort to address the growing need for prescription medications, Governor Kaine and Virginia's General Assembly have appropriated funds to the Virginia Health Care Foundation for the creation or expansion of local Medication Assistance Programs (MAPs) throughout the Commonwealth. We call this special initiative RxRelief Virginia. Through this initiative, local MAPs help qualifying, uninsured individuals with chronic illnesses obtain needed prescriptions free of charge.

MAPs are designed to increase access to prescription medications for chronically ill, uninsured Virginians with incomes ≤200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). MAPs utilize full-time caseworkers, who obtain free prescription medications from the brandname pharmaceutical companies' Patient Assistance Programs for eligible patients by using The Pharmacy Connection. MAPS can be found in a variety of settings including community health centers, free clinics, nonprofit social service organizations, health departments, and hospitals. RxRelief Virginia grants support the salary and benefits of Medication Assistance Caseworkers.

In FY 2006, RxRelief Virginia helped 11,593 uninsured Virginians fill 95,464 prescriptions with medicines valued at $24.5 million (Average Wholesale Price).

Through a special partnership with the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation, VHCF also funds 6 Medication Assistance Programs in the Greater Williamsburg area. The Greater Williamsburg Medication Assistance Program (GWMAP) sites work together to meet the medication needs of patients in the Greater Williamsburg area, and last year, served over 1,800 uninsured patients with medications valued at more than $3.7 million.