Latest Posts

The PAN Foundation celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the United States.  Established in 1978 as a heritage week and then expanded to a monthlong celebration in 1992, May was chosen to acknowledge the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in … Continued

New Type 2 diabetes fund opens

The PAN Foundation today opened a new financial assistance program for people living with Type 2 diabetes, providing up to $3,100 per year for eligible patients.  Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic disease that causes high blood glucose when the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin, or the body can’t use … Continued

Mary-Ellen’s story: breaking the stigma and choosing kindness

As a social worker for more than 30 years, Mary-Ellen spent a lot of time helping others, especially helping people in need find resources to pay for things they couldn’t afford.   After an on-the-job accident, she had to have numerous surgeries and was unable to work. Her road to recovery was a long one. The … Continued

Lara: stretching her budget and staying positive

Lara tries not to let her illness define her life. The Georgia resident has other priorities, like her three kids, her first grandchild on the way, and a love of bowling.  But she also lives in pain. Because of her rheumatoid arthritis, her joints are often swollen and painful. She uses a cane, sometimes requires … Continued

Katie: defying her diagnosis

When Katie was first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2018, she prepared for the worst. In the years since her diagnosis, her cancer has spread—but so has her determination.   “They said I wouldn’t still be here. But as you can see, I’m still here,” she said. “I’ve been scrambling to stay here for … Continued

Paula & Emily: a true PAN family

Paula’s mom, Emily, was always there for her and her sisters. Emily gave up a lot to support her three daughters when they were growing up, even working two jobs to make ends meet. Her middle daughter, Paula Lujan, has fond memories of going to work with her mom and helping with tasks when they … Continued

The PAN Foundation joins leading national patient advocacy organizations to urge Congress to act on prescription affordability

The PAN Foundation and nationally recognized patient advocacy organizations urged Congress to take action to address high out-of-pocket prescription costs in the Medicare Part D program, easing the burden on millions who cannot afford their medications. In a letter sent to Congress, the group asked House and Senate leadership to pass legislation to cap financial … Continued

Tammy: the consequences of expensive copays

Tammy is a pharmacy technician specialist in the liver clinic at Baylor Scott & White Health in Texas.   During a typical work day, she works with her team to get hepatitis C medications approved by insurance and help patients get assistance paying for their treatment.  It’s a demanding job, but Tammy is determined to protect … Continued

The PAN Foundation joins Root Cause Coalition to advance health equity

The PAN Foundation announced today its membership in the Root Cause Coalition, a national group of more than 90 organizations focused on health equity for every American.   One of PAN’s key policy priorities in 2022 is to advocate for legislation that makes healthcare affordable and accessible to all, without discrimination.      We are thrilled … Continued

Copay accumulator policies hurt patients. There’s a simple solution.

Each year on January 1, health plans reset for millions of Americans with serious and complex illnesses, restarting the slow and often expensive process of working toward their annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket limit. But for people with copay accumulator policies built into their health insurance plans, there’s a much steeper hill to climb.  With … Continued