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Providing Access to Life-Saving Medications

Broadcast date: 5/18/2017

A survey, by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) shows that about 8% of Americans don’t take their medicines as prescribed by a doctor because they can’t afford them. According to the 2016 SLO County Commission on Aging report, an estimated 38 percent—or more than 13,000—of SLO County seniors older than 65 didn’t have enough income to meet their basic needs, this includes health care and prescription medications. Even with Medicaid, nearly 10% of older adults were unable to pay for their prescriptions, because of a coverage gap, known as the "donut hole" and those without insurance or living below the federal poverty level faired even worse— nearly 14% did not take medications as prescribed.

The Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access (APA) provides access to life-saving medications to individuals who otherwise might go without treatment due to inability to afford their out of pocket costs. In 2016, APA secured over 2 million dollars-worth of life-saving medications, and improved the health of over 1,000 individuals. This was accomplished with a lean operating budget of $150,000.

Join host Kris Kington-Barker as she speaks with guests Sarah Reinhart MPP, Executive Director, Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access (APA) and Dr. Murat Akalin, M.D, as they discuss how they have helped thousands in our community to restore and maintain their health and well-being, because no one should ever have to choose between filling a prescription and feeding their family.

Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.

Kris Kington-Barker is co-host of Central Coast Voices, heard every Thursday on KCBX from 1:00—12:00 p.m. Kris has worked in healthcare fields ranging from mental health to hospital administration, and has served as a volunteer and board member for many Central Coast non-profit organizations.