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Experts Concerned About Americans Skipping Medical Care
New Survey Shows Uninsured Patients Skipping Tests & Medicine

Richmond, Virginia (June 22, 2006) - A recent survey has doctors and other medical experts concerned that many uninsured Americans are skipping checkups and even pills, because the treatment is too expensive. The study from the Commonwealth Fund, a private health care policy foundation, showed that the percentage of Americans with moderate to middle incomes who went without insurance for at least part of the year rose to more than 40% in 2005, an increase of more than 20% since 2001.

That lack of insurance is causing a number of problems, including trouble paying off medical bills and even forgoing tests and medication. Nearly 60% of those polled who had chronic illnesses went without treatment because they couldn't afford it.

"This is incredibly alarming," said Dr. Douglas Puryear, M.D. from Pulmonary Associates of Richmond, a practice that's been in operation for 25 years. "We work with uninsured and underinsured patients frequently, and I don't believe there's any need to pass up what can be lifesaving medicine."

Dr. Puryear said there are a number of things uninsured or underinsured patients can do to make sure they get the treatments they need. He said many communities have clinics that offer their services for free, and many pharmaceutical companies have programs to offer medicines at a reduced rate, based on need. Additionally, if a patient qualifies for a clinical trial, they may receive treatment and medicine at no charge. Finally, many state and county health departments have programs to offer discounted or free care.

Medical equipment used for treatment of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea causes a particular problem for uninsured or underinsured patients, as the devices can cost thousands of dollars. To keep costs lower, many patients are working with Internet-based companies to purchase the equipment directly, instead of buying it through a home medical equipment company.

"Purchasing equipment from a reputable dealer on the Internet absolutely reduces the cost to the patient," said Sherry Burgess, Vice President and Co-Owner of CPAP Supply USA, which sells devices that treat the symptoms of sleep apnea through its website, CPAPSupplyUSA.com. "One reason is that home medical equipment companies are required to sell durable medical equipment like CPAP machines at certain prices because they submit claims to Medicare."

Burgess said to ensure you're working with a reputable Internet-based medical equipment retailer, check for the following:
· Verisign logo (shows that all information sent through the site is secure)
· Hacker Safe logo (shows the site is certified daily by ScanAlert)
· Better Business Bureau logo

About Pulmonary Associates of Richmond
For more than twenty-five years, Pulmonary Associates of Richmond has provided a comprehensive range of high-quality, individualized services based upon a commitment to effectively combine compassionate care with advanced education and proven state-of-the-art techniques. Services offered at PAR include disease management, sleep disorder treatment, pulmonary outpatient rehabilitation, critical care, and clinical research. PAR also operates a full sleep disorder clinic in their office in Midlothian, Virginia. For more information, please visit http://www.paraccess.com.

About CPAP Supply USA
CPAP Supply USA, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the nation's leading suppliers of CPAP machines, CPAP masks and CPAP accessories from top manufactures, including Respironics, Puritan Bennett, Invacare, Resmed and Fisher & Paykel. With 18 years experience working with home medical equipment companies specializing in respiratory care, their mission is to improve the quality of life for their clients by providing expert advice and state of the art equipment at affordable prices. For more information on CPAP Supply USA or to place an order, call 1-866-560-2727 or visit their website at http://www.CPAPSupplyUSA.com.

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