According to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor, Americans are spending about $1.65 trillion a year on healthcare.

In addition, 44 million Americans are not covered by health insurance.

We all know the cost of healthcare is rising.

But one local program seeks to help some residents with the cost of prescription drugs.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a rolling cure for the underinsured or uninsured who may struggle with the costs of expensive medications.

The partnership is the largest private sector effort dedicated to helping patients find ways to access prescription medicines for little or no cost through assistance programs.

Since its launch in April 2005, the PPA has helped connect more than 4 million patients to prescription assistance programs offering free or low-cost prescription medicines

The PPA bus will make a stop at the Dallas County Health Department on Wednesday.

The Help is Here Express will be available to assist interested residents in finding out if they qualify for one or more of 475 patient assistance programs.

This is much-needed help and it’s about time the pharmaceutical companies made an effort to ensure that everyone – regardless of income level – has access to the medications they need.