NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – Forty percent of Texans skip doses or discontinue medication due to high prices, according to data from Texas Affordable Healthcare. <\/p>\n
That problem is heightened in rural communities.<\/p>\n
So, when Beatrice Moralas was diagnosed with diabetes without health insurance, she didn\u2019t know what to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was not expecting the price to be that high, for the insulin, plus the syringes, and then everything else that comes with,\u201d Moralas said.<\/p>\n
The timing couldn\u2019t have been worse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was an extra expense and just having all of that at one time plus starting a new job I was like \u2018oh my god you\u2019ve got to be kidding me,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
And Moralas, who is both a patient and volunteer at Community Rx Help isn\u2019t alone. <\/p>\n
KFF data shows that almost half of U.S. adults say it\u2019s difficult to afford healthcare.<\/p>\n
Lila Clay, the Executive Director for Community RX Help, a nonprofit that provides free medication access for the community, said the service is crucial.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important. People are looking at their electric bills and their medication bottles and they\u2019re trying to decide which one they\u2019re going to pay,\u201d Clay said.<\/p>\n
Since programs like the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired in January, the situation has gotten worse.<\/p>\n
In 2025, the nonprofit spent nearly $1.9 million on medications across four East Texas counties. <\/p>\n
Medications can range from $10 to over $12,000.<\/p>\n
Clay recalled a story, that explains how important their program is for the community. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe said to me, \u2018I wish I had known about you sooner and maybe my husband wouldn\u2019t have died.\u2019 They couldn\u2019t afford his medication, so they skipped,\u201d Clay said.<\/p>\n
Community RX Help offers two programs: one for one-time costs through local pharmacies, and another that covers medication free for up to 12 months.<\/p>\n
The organization will soon be able to expand with Texas\u2019 new RX Care program, allowing them to be representatives of the program and reach more people.<\/p>\n
Community RX Help has been in the community for 25 years. <\/p>\n
Clay and her team will be traveling to Austin on May 21 to become a certified resource through the state\u2019s new RX Care program.<\/p>\n
To raise more funds, the non-profit is also hosting a fundraiser in August to help keep their program going, and highlight medical professionals in the community. <\/p>\n