At Promise Community Health Center, we believe that access to medication should never be a barrier to good health. One year ago, we launched Hope Link with that belief at the center—creating a pathway for patients to receive critical medications at no cost. As we reflect on Hope Link’s first year, we are encouraged by the meaningful impact it has already made on the lives of our patients and families.
A Year of Impact
Looking back on the first year of Hope Link, what stands out most is the way access to medication has directly translated into improved health outcomes. Many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, can progress quietly for years before leading to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, or vision loss. Hope Link intervenes early, giving patients the tools they need to protect their long-term health and enjoy a better quality of life—both now and in the years ahead.
Simply put, when patients have access to the medications they need, they are able to focus on healing, prevention, and living well.
Serving Patients When It Matters Most
In 2025, 53 patients were served through Hope Link. Access to diabetes medications has been especially impactful, as well-managed blood sugar can significantly improve overall health and reduce the risk of future complications.
Some of the most life-changing medications provided through Hope Link are high-cost diabetes treatments, including safer, easier-to-use forms of insulin and once-weekly injectable medications such as Trulicity. For many patients, the monthly cost of these medications—often ranging from $700 to over $1,000—previously made them completely inaccessible. Through Hope Link, these tools are now within reach, allowing patients who are already committed to lifestyle changes to finally achieve their A1c goals.
Midway through the year, Hope Link expanded to include mental health medications, further supporting whole-person care. Looking ahead, the program plans to continue growing, with cardiovascular medications expected to be added in 2026.
Real Change for Real Lives
The impact of Hope Link is best seen in the everyday lives of patients. For pregnant patients managing gestational diabetes, access to no-cost insulin removes a significant financial burden during an already demanding time. Hundreds of dollars each month can instead be used for essential needs such as food, housing, or specialist care—benefiting both mother and baby.
For some of our most vulnerable patients with diabetes, Hope Link has been truly life-changing. By transitioning from older, less expensive insulin regimens to newer, safer options, patients who once experienced frequent and dangerous low blood sugar episodes are now achieving stable glucose control. These individuals no longer live in fear of hypoglycemia and feel confident following their treatment plans.
Supporting Care Teams to Better Support Patients
From our Population Health Team’s perspective, Hope Link has transformed the way providers and nurse health coaches support patients. Reliable access to medications means clinicians can recommend the most effective treatments without concern for cost barriers. With the right tools available, providers and health coaches are better equipped to help patients lower blood sugar, improve overall health, and prevent complications.
Powered by Strong Partnerships
Hope Link’s success over the past year would not be possible without strong community partnerships. The Dispensary of Hope has played a foundational role in supporting the creation of Hope Link at Promise Community Health Center, helping bridge the gap between medication abundance and unmet medical needs. WellPoint provided the essential funding needed to purchase medications and bring this program to life.
Together, these partnerships ensure that life-saving medications donated by manufacturers reach the individuals who need them most. Hope Link serves as that final connection—and it exists because of a shared vision for health equity.
Advancing Promise’s Mission
Hope Link is a natural extension of Promise Community Health Center’s mission to provide accessible, holistic healthcare that adapts to the evolving needs of our community. By offering no-cost medications to patients who need them most, Hope Link improves wellbeing while addressing the unique challenges faced by certain populations.
Integrated with Promise’s medical, dental, vision, nurse health coaching, clinical pharmacy, and mental health services, Hope Link ensures that medication is not a missing piece of the care puzzle. Whether through our sliding-fee scale or specialized programs like Hope Link, our goal remains the same: to improve the health and lives of everyone we serve.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate one year of Hope Link, we are reminded that medication is not a shortcut—it is a bridge to health equity. While lifestyle changes remain essential, many patients face barriers such as food insecurity, time constraints from working multiple jobs, or limited support systems. Hope Link exists to help overcome these challenges and ensure that every individual in our community has the opportunity to achieve long-term health.
We are grateful for the patients, and partners who made this first year possible, and we look forward to expanding Hope Link’s impact in the years to come.
