PAN partners with the National Rural Health Association to advance rural healthcare access

The PAN Foundation announced today a new partnership with the National Rural Health Association, a national nonprofit membership organization with more than 21,000 members who are collectively working to address obstacles facing patients and providers in rural areas and advance health equity. This partnership continues PAN’s longstanding commitment to helping underinsured people access and afford the medications and treatments they need—regardless of where they live.

“We are honored to partner with the National Rural Health Association as we work to support their mission in expanding health access for those in rural communities,” said PAN President and CEO Kevin L. Hagan. “As someone who grew up in a rural county of only 15,000 residents and whose family had to travel an hour or more to access healthcare, I know all too well the unique obstacles patients and providers in these areas face—especially when it comes to access and affordability. The PAN Foundation serves as a valuable resource for those who are underinsured and facing life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Through this partnership, we hope to provide support to even more patients who need our help, including the nearly 60 million Americans living in rural areas today.”

Research shows that rural residents tend to be poorer with less access to care than those living in urban areas, and these disparities are even greater among historically marginalized communities. By helping underinsured people with their out-of-pocket prescription costs, PAN finds that more patients take their medications as prescribed, can start or continue treatment, and experience an improved quality of life. Through this partnership, PAN will collaborate with the National Rural Health Association to educate professionals working in rural health systems, health clinics, and other healthcare settings about charitable patient assistance and how patients can benefit from such programs—leading to improved health outcomes.

“We know people living in rural areas face enormous challenges accessing healthcare—including ongoing provider shortages, having to travel long distances for care, and a lack of high-speed internet to access important health information,” said National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan. “The PAN Foundation serves as a critical safety net for hundreds of thousands of patients each year, helping to advance equitable health outcomes by ensuring those most in need can afford and access their care. We look forward to educating our members about the life-changing support and resources PAN offers and continuing to grow this important partnership.”

Through advocacy, communications, education, and research, the National Rural Health Association connects its diverse individual and organizational members to initiatives focused on rural health. Partners of the National Rural Health Association directly assist its members through educational programming and rural-relevant products and services.

About the PAN Foundation
The PAN Foundation is an independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.

Since 2004, we have provided more than 1 million underinsured patients with $4 billion in financial assistance. Partnering with generous donors, healthcare providers, and pharmacies, we provide the underinsured population access to the healthcare treatments they need to best manage their conditions and focus on improving their quality of life. Learn more at panfoundation.org.

About the National Rural Health Association
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is a national nonprofit membership organization with more than 21,000 members. The association’s mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research. NRHA membership consists of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.