As Texas and Louisiana continue efforts to keep residents safe, patient-centered organizations are concerned for pain patients and others who have had their treatments interrupted or are without medical equipment.To ensure patients affected by Hurricane Harvey do not face unintended, negative health outcomes, U.S. Pain has put together an online engagement campaign that asks the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to activate its Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. This would allow eligible patients to receive their necessary prescriptions and medical equipment at no cost from participating pharmacies.
“As a person living with chronic pain, I know many pain warriors share my desire to find ways we can support pain patients in these disaster areas,” said president and founder of U.S. Pain, Paul Gileno. “While elected officials and volunteers have spent countless hours to keep residents of these states safe, we cannot forget the many patients who are combating significant treatment access issues as the result of Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts are with the families of Texas and Louisiana and I have no doubt that the chronic pain community will rise to the occasion to support one another.”
In addition to the online campaign, U.S. Pain is circulating a group sign-on letter to allied organizations that asks HHS Secretary to activate the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program.
U.S. Pain also has developed the below resource list; patients, caregivers, and others are urged to utilize the following tools and share with loved ones in Texas and Louisiana.
Available resources
- National Infusion Center Association has created this locator tool for patients to receive updates from their provider relating to infusion treatment access
https://infusioncenter.org/disaster-relief/ - Find available American Red Cross shelters here
(for immediate assistance, call 1800-RED-CROSS)
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter - Rx Open helps patients find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by disaster
https://www.healthcareready.org/rxopen - U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a helpful list of safe drug use after a natural disaster
https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/ucm085200.htm - Healthcare Ready has activated for Hurricane Harvey and is ready to assist families
https://www.healthcareready.org/ - Hurricane Harvey situation reports are updated frequently
https://energy.gov/oe/downloads/hurricane-harvey-situation-reports-august-2017 - The Texas Department of Public Safety also has situation reports
http://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/sitrep/default.aspx - Donate diabetic supplies (insulin, glucometers, strips) by clicking here
http://ifl-usa.org/hurricaneharvey/ - HHS has declared a public health emergency and the CMS 1135 waiver program is available. Certain requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP are modified to ensure that needs are met and that providers and suppliers acting in good faith are reimbursed. More details can be found here
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertEmergPrep/1135-Waivers.html - Help send supplies to children who are medically complex impacted by Hurricane Harvey
http://www.littlelobbyists.org/harvey/