CT hospital launches initiative to provide free prescriptions for those in need. Part of improving ‘health’

Hartford Courant – Wednesday, September 2, 2026
By Livi Stanford

As prescription costs continue to rise and many struggle to afford access to medications, Saint Francis Hospital is partnering with a nonprofit to provide free prescription medications to the most vulnerable patients in the region.

“I think it’s a really great program to make sure that folks don’t have to choose between paying for their medications and other things like food or heating their home,” said Richard Wojtowicz, regional director of pharmacy services at Trinity Health of New England.

“The medications are provided free of charge to those that qualify.”

Those who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not offer prescription coverage, and are living at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, qualify for the program, Wojtowicz said.

Saint Francis, in Hartford, is partnering with The Dispensary of Hope, a nonprofit that “coordinates with pharmaceutical manufacturers to distribute donated medications to those in need through more than 340 partner sites nationwide,” according to the hospital.

The initiative is one of two the hospital is implementing as part of its “strategy to improve the overall health and well being of the community and address access to care, food, security and housing,” said Carolyn Alessi, regional director of community health and wellbeing, at Trinity Health of New England.

Hospital officials are also seeking to improve access to healthy food options for those in the North Hartford region, where the average household income is between $28,000 and $38,000 for a family of four. The area is also considered a food desert, with no nearby access to to fresh, nutritious food options. Residents need to take three different buses to access such options, according to Alessi.

Last month, the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation awarded Saint Francis Hospital a $275,000 grant to improve access to healthy foods in North Hartford.

Alessi said officials are launching the Healthy Bodega Small Business Support Pilot Program to aid local bodegas in supplying healthier and nutritious food options. Developed through the Transforming Communities Initiative, “which engages community members in creating solutions addressing the root causes of health inequities,” Saint Francis is collaborating with the YWCA Hartford region and other partners to develop the program.

“Healthy food access takes more than one institution,” said Adrienne W. Cochrane, president and CEO of the YWCA Hartford region. “Through the Healthy Bodega Project, we are working with Saint Francis Hospital and other partners, including the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the city of Hartford, area farmers, and the store owners who have anchored the city blocks. Each partner strengthens what the others began. That is how a healthier North Hartford gets built.”

For over a decade, officials in Hartford sought ways to open a full service grocery store, which has not proved economically viable without subsidy. Two new proposals are reportedly under consideration.

Alessi said a root cause analysis of residents’ health problems in the North Hartford region found that the three biggest stressors they listed included food insecurity, access to care, and housing.
‘Access to care is one of the most significant challenges’

Alessi said this year’s Community Needs Assessment “identified that access to care is one of the most significant challenges for the community.

“And while we continue to address barriers such as transportation and access to primary care appointments we are seeing an increasing number of patients struggling to afford their medications,” she said.

Sen. Saud Anwar, co-chair of the state’s Public Health Committee, said medicines are a lifeline.

“The fact that people in our communities are making difficult choices between being able to eat or get their medicines, or pay their utility bills, is indeed a very sad moment in our history,” he said. “We have to do whatever it takes to help address affordability in a comprehensive manner.”

Alessi said she learned from community health workers that lack of access to medications was one of the reasons why patients with uncontrolled blood pressure were admitted to the emergency department.

“Improving access to medications really does help reduce preventable hospitalizations, emergency department visits and readmission among our high risk patients,” Alessi said.

More information on the prescription drug program is found on the Trinity Health of New England site.

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