FROM GREEN BAY. THAT CHASE LEFT THREE SQUAD CARS DAMAGED. >> ASCENSION WISCONSIN OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR ANYONE WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE TO GET THE MEDICATION THEY NEED. THE HOSPITAL IS EXPANDING ITS FREE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM TO FOUR NEW PHARMACIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN. 12 NEWS AND MONICA FLEMING HAS THE STORY. >> ALL SMILES. >> HEY. >> AND A RENEWED SENSE OF OPTIMISM. >> THIS IS WHAT COMPASSIONATE, COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH CARE LOOKS LIKE. >> AT ASCENSION HOSPITAL IN FRANKLIN WEDNESDAY MORNING. IT’S ONE OF FOUR NEW LOCATIONS TAKING PART IN THE HOSPITAL’S FREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. >> WHEN PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE AND ACCESS TO MEDICINE, IT LOWERS HOSPITAL STAYS. IT INCREASES, IT SAVES PATIENTS MONEY. IT HELPS PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES LONGER. >> DISPENSARY OF HOPE IS FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. ASCENSION WISCONSIN CEO DANIEL JACKSON SAYS THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 2017, AND SINCE THEN IT’S HELPED OVER 164,000 PATIENTS IN THE STATE GET THE MEDS THEY NEED AT NO COST. >> CALL IT A TEAM EFFORT. EVERYONE FROM FINANCE TO ADMINISTRATION TO PHYSICIANS TO NURSES TO PHARMACISTS, THE TEXT IT IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT. SO IT TAKES ALL OF US TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS ABOUT GRATITUDE. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THIS WAY, AND THAT OUR THAT IS OUR GOAL TO SUSTAIN THIS. >> THE PROGRAM NOW RUNS OUT OF A TOTAL OF NINE ASCENSION PHARMACIES, GIVING PATIENTS MORE OPTIONS. THE NEW LOCATIONS INCLUDE TWO IN FRANKLIN, ONE IN OZAUKEE AND ONE IN ELMBROOK. AND HOSPITAL STAFF SAY APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM IS AS EASY AS FILLING OUT ONE FORM AT ONE OF THEIR ASCENSION PHARMACIES, BUT THERE ARE A FEW QUALIFICATIONS. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS BASED ON INCOME, ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO MAKES LESS THAN $47,000 A YEAR IS ELIGIBLE. >> THEY NEED TO BE BELOW 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, AND THEY GET THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS ABSOLUTELY FREE. >> THE PROGRAM ONLY GIVES OUT GENERIC MEDS, SO TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE APPLYING IN. FRANKLIN, IMANI FLEMING, WISN 12 NEWS. >> NOW HERE’S SOME MORE INFORMATION. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AN ASCENSION PATIENT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.
Ascension Wisconsin expands free medication program
The hospital system is moving its Dispensary of Hope program into four more pharmacies across southeast Wisconsin
Updated: 7:07 PM CST Jan 28, 2026
Ascension Wisconsin’s Dispensary of Hope program, which offers free medication to uninsured individuals struggling to afford prescriptions, has expanded to four new locations in southeast Wisconsin to address basic health care needs and improve access to essential medications.A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new locations at Ascension pharmacies in Franklin, Elmbrook, Ozaukee and Rawson Avenue in Franklin. These additions bring the total number of Ascension pharmacies offering the Dispensary of Hope program to nine.Hospital staff believe that by integrating the program into more pharmacies, they can lower emergency room visits and reduce patient hospital stays. They also note that many individuals will no longer need to travel as far to obtain their medications.”Today’s expansion means more patients will have options. More patients will experience what true access feels like, not just receiving medications but being seen, heard and supported. This is what compassionate community-based health care looks like,” said Mo Kharbat, Ascension Wisconsin Pharmacy vice president.The program is available to anyone without health insurance who has a prescription from their doctor and earns an individual salary of $46,000 or less per year. Applications can be filled out at any Ascension pharmacy. You do not need to be an Ascension patient to apply or be eligible. Ascension Wisconsin says Ascension pays for the program, but the medications are donated by drug companies. Top HeadlinesGet the Facts: ICE funding surged under President Trump. Here’s how muchESPN: Giannis ‘ready for new home’ ahead of trade deadline3 squad vehicles damaged during chase, arrest in Fond du Lac CountyExamining DHS use-of-force policy after 2 deadly Minneapolis shootingsWATCH ‘Lunacy’: Milwaukee alderman criticizes DOT closure of 27th St. bridge
FRANKLIN, Wis. —
Ascension Wisconsin’s Dispensary of Hope program, which offers free medication to uninsured individuals struggling to afford prescriptions, has expanded to four new locations in southeast Wisconsin to address basic health care needs and improve access to essential medications.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new locations at Ascension pharmacies in Franklin, Elmbrook, Ozaukee and Rawson Avenue in Franklin. These additions bring the total number of Ascension pharmacies offering the Dispensary of Hope program to nine.
Hospital staff believe that by integrating the program into more pharmacies, they can lower emergency room visits and reduce patient hospital stays. They also note that many individuals will no longer need to travel as far to obtain their medications.
“Today’s expansion means more patients will have options. More patients will experience what true access feels like, not just receiving medications but being seen, heard and supported. This is what compassionate community-based health care looks like,” said Mo Kharbat, Ascension Wisconsin Pharmacy vice president.
The program is available to anyone without health insurance who has a prescription from their doctor and earns an individual salary of $46,000 or less per year.
Applications can be filled out at any Ascension pharmacy. You do not need to be an Ascension patient to apply or be eligible. Ascension Wisconsin says Ascension pays for the program, but the medications are donated by drug companies.
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