Using settlement funds from two national pharmacy benefits management companies, Virginia is now able to aid its uninsured residents in accessing mental health treatment.

Bob McDonnell

Over a year ago, as the state’s attorney general, Bob McConnell issued a $1 million challenge grant to the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) to match that amount to drive new community mental health care resources. The grant was the result of two multi-state settlements with Caremark Rx and Express Scripts alleging that the pharmacy benefit management companies engaged in deceptive business practices by encouraging doctors to switch patients to different brand name prescription drugs and representing that the patients and/or health plans would save money.

Using that initial seed money, the VHCF was able to raise another $1 million for its “A New Lease on Life” program, providing assistance for uninsured Virginians.

McDonnell, recently sworn in as Virginia’s governor, called it “remarkable” that despite the rough economy that the VHCF was able to raise $1 million for the program.

“With unemployment up and more people without health insurance, we must turn to public/private programs like ‘A New Lease on Life’ to provide critical health services to uninsured Virginians,” he said in a statement. “Mental illness is treatable, but too many people go without care. The pilot programs being launched today will help to close the treatment gap and provide much needed help to people all across the Commonwealth.”

According to the VHCF, “A New Lease on Life” combines the expertise and talents of local health safety net organizations, such as free clinics and community health centers, and local community services boards to address unmet needs.

The program will provide basic mental health services and access to necessary prescription medicines in a health safety net setting for uninsured patients of the health safety net organization and uninsured referrals by the local community services board.

Primary medical care and access to necessary prescription medicines in a health safety net setting will be provided for uninsured community service board clients with serious mental illness, who are able to follow a provider’s recommended treatment.

“The recession and its devastating effects have created an even greater need for services to treat serious depression and anxiety disorders in the uninsured,” said Gil Minor, chairman of the Virginia Health Care Foundation’s Fund Development Committee. “We are very grateful to the many companies, individuals and foundations which stepped up to help us meet this challenge.”