Des Moines, IA, hospital plans to cut back on free medications

Des Moines, IA-based Broadlawns Medical Center has announced it is cutting back on free prescription drugs for its patients. The medical center recently sent a letter to patients saying they would all have to start paying $4 per prescription, beginning in September. But uninsured patients whose income is below the federal poverty level will continue to receive free medication, and no eligible patient will be charged more than $20 per month, said hospital officials. Hospital leaders said Broadlawns was one of only two public hospitals in the country that still gave free medications to patients, but the hospital can no longer afford to do so.