Many Dallas County residents don’t get the healthcare they need because they can’t afford to go to the doctor and, even if they did go, can’t afford to get their prescriptions filled.

For folks in that predicament who want to get healthy and stay healthy, there’s two local events set that could help.

The Help is Here Express will be at the Dallas County Health Department at 2 p.m. today to help those who

skip medications because they can’t afford prescription costs.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a national program to help low-income patients access prescription medicines.

The bus will offer the opportunity for local residents to enroll in patient assistance programs, or at least find out if they qualify.

The program is similar to the Senior RX program, but is offered for people of any age who have trouble affording prescription medications.

Singles who make less then $20,000 and couples making less than $25,000 could be eligible under these programs.

The other event set locally is a Health Fair, sponsored by Agape Ministry Economic Develop Inc.

That event is set Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Beloved Apostolic Church of God.

Organizers hope the health fair will become

a yearly community tradition and urge citizens and health organizations to show their support for better health in Dallas County.

Free health screenings will be administered at the fair including free blood glucose checks for diabetes and blood pressure checks.

If you have difficulty affording visits to the doctor, or paying for prescription drugs, these may be two opportunities to help you get a jump start on getting healthier.

Access to quality healthcare for every resident should be a given in a country with the wealth and resources that the United States enjoys.

We should demand affordable health care coverage for every American, but until that happens, it’s good to know there are programs in place to help bridge the gaps.