News Release

Statement by Tommy G. Thompson Secretary of Health and Human Services In Support of the Together Rx Access Card Announcement

I'm pleased to support the Together Rx Access Card that will provide significant prescription drug savings for approximately 36 million uninsured Americans. This program, launched by a coalition of ten pharmaceutical companies, is a great example of private sector leaders coming together with an innovative solution to a complex problem.

Uninsured Americans can use this card at their pharmacy to receive savings on more than 275 brand-name prescription medicines, and even more on generic drugs. Cardholders will save an average of 25 to 40 percent on their prescriptions.

This program will complement President Bush's ongoing work to expand access to care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Over the last four years, I've worked with President Bush to take several specific steps to help those in need.

First, we have expanded the good work of community health centers. These centers provide quality, compassionate care to the patients who need our help the most. Also, thanks to a $500 million increase in funding over the last five years, more than 600 new or expanded sites are up and running. In the months ahead, President Bush will ensure that every poor county in America has a community or rural health center.

Second, we have helped state governments expand their Medicaid programs to millions of additional Americans. About 6 million children who otherwise would not have health coverage were enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program at some point during fiscal year 2003 -- a 9 percent increase from the previous year. President Bush is also committed to leading an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government's health insurance programs.

More than half of the uninsured are small business employees and their families. So the President has supported Association Health Plans that will help small businesses join together to purchase health insurance at the same discounts available to big companies. In addition, as part of our commitment to give consumers more control of their own health care, we have introduced health savings accounts that serve as a low-cost alternative for many uninsured Americans.

America has always had the finest health care system in the world. Our challenge is to ensure that everyone has access to this excellent, compassionate system. This is a challenge that the government cannot meet on its own. But joint public-private ventures like Together Rx help us make great strides toward a viable solution to this complex problem.

I applaud all participating companies for their leadership and their willingness to work together to find a common-sense solution. I encourage every person who is qualified for this program to take advantage of it.

More information is available by calling 1-800-444-4106 or by visiting www.togetherRxAccess.com.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 11, 2005