1,500 Uninsured Arkansans Line Up For A Free Health Care Clinic

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/21/1500-arkansas-clinic/


1,500 Uninsured Arkansans Line Up For A Free Health Care Clinic


One out of every five people in Arkansas lacks health insurance coverage. However, today over 1,500 uninsured Arkansans received health care at a free clinic hosted by Communities Are Responding Everyday (CARE) at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, which was made possible in part because of calls for donations by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. A wide variety of medical services, including physicals and screenings for such conditions as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, were provided at the clinic.

The Arkansas Times spoke both to volunteers and people waiting to receive care. Several of the volunteers expressed their enthusiasm to help their fellow community members, while at the same time feeling “ashamed” to be in a country where health care is still a privilege:

MAN: Well I came to get health. I do have diabetes and I haven’t been able to get healthcare since I lost my last job. And I am a student so it’s been a little difficult to get a full time job where I can get benefits. <...> I haven’t seen a doctor probably in three or four years. <...> I thank all of the volunteers.

WOMAN: I got laid off in 2008 and since I haven’t had insurance <...>

MAN: I don’t make really enough money to pay bills and have healthcare also. This is a good opportunity for me. And I haven’t really had a check up or anything in more years than I’d like to admit. <...> I’m really thankful.

Watch it at link~

Earlier today, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) announced today that she would provide the 60th vote “in support of cloture on the motion to proceed” to the health care reform bill. But Lincoln also stressed that she is “opposed to a new government administered health care plan as a part of health care reform and will not vote on the health care proposal introduced by leader Reid as it is written.”

As it is currently written, the Senate health bill would reduce the number of uninsured by 31 million while also reducing the deficit by $130 billion in ten years. So while Lincoln considers voting against the bill, free clinics like the one today remain the only option for hundreds of thousands of people in her state. The next free clinic event is scheduled for December 9-10 in Kansas City, Mo.

Update: FireDogLake has several interviews of people who came today to receive care

[saltpoint]

1. Yo, Blanche. Check it out.

Recommended.

:thumbsup: :hi:

[babylonsister]

3. Nah, she's too busy claiming she won't consider helping her

constituents despite some of them being in dire straits. :thumbsdown:

:hi:, saltpoint!

[SpiralHawk]

2. "Pathetic proles. Sneer." - Rush 'DraftDodger $30-mil-a-year' Limbaugh (R)

"You don't see me or my cronies lining up for that low-class, socialist leaning kinda health care. Sneer."

- Rush 'DraftDodger $30-mil-a-year' Limbaugh (R - Propagandist)

[archiemo]

4. Does anyone know how to get in touch with the group coming to KC

in December? I'd like to find out if they need volunteer help.

[babylonsister]

5. Yes, here's lots of info, and thank you!

Found this on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169488856218&ref=nf


Great News for Thousands of Uninsured People in Heartland
Who Need to See a Doctor!

Mega FREE health C.A.R.E. clinic will be held at Kansas City’s Bartle Hall on
December 9 & 10
Hosted by National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC)

Kansas City MO – Working in conjunction with most local health care providers, the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) will host a two day FREE health C.A.R.E. clinic at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, MO, on Wednesday and Thursday, December 9 and 10Th.

The Kansas City C.A.R.E. (Communities are Responding Everyday) clinic is similar to the free health clinic hosted by Dr. Oz, The Dr. Oz Show, in September in Houston that provided free basic health care to nearly 1800 people.

The Kansas City C.A.R.E. clinic is expected to provide care for 3000 or more people. To improve accessibly for those who need care the most, the Kansas City clinic will be held on two week days and will be open both daytime and evening hours (Noon – 8:00 on Wednesday and 10:00 to 6:00 on Thursday).

Supporting the NAFC in this major health care initiative are most health care providers in and around the Kansas City community, including safety need clinics, hospitals, physician practices and other health care, mental health and social service providers. Four hundred or so medical professionals will be supported by 700+ other volunteers to provide medical services.

To get an appointment-
Anyone who is uninsured that needs medical care should call 1-877-249-5030 to register for an appointment. “Walk-ins will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis,” says Nicole Lamoureux, Executive Director for NAFC. “Due to the expected large turnout, and to ensure an organized clinic, registering is very important.” Although the primary area of care will be general medicine there will likely be a number of additional services provided at the clinic. It should be noted also, that this event may be the focus of television broadcasts.

To volunteer-
All types of volunteers are needed to help with this two-day event. We invite all clinical volunteers, including MDs, DOs, DPMs, DDSs, NPs, PAs, RNs, LPNs, EMTs, MAs, MSW’s, BSW’s and others to participate in this life-altering event. Non-medical volunteers are also needed to help with documentation, logistical support and patient intake, and to assist patients with scheduling follow-up appointments at their local safety-net clinics. To volunteer, register online at http://freeclinics.us. (Kansas City site will be up by 11/08/09.) Both individuals and teams can sign up.

About the Uninsured.-
“People without insurance are up to four times less likely to have a regular source of health care and are more likely to die from health-related problems,” stated Sheri Wood, Executive Director of the Kansas City Free Health Clinic and President of the National Association of Free Clinics Board of Directors.

About free health clinics-
"Since the 1960s, free clinics have been serving America's working poor, and over the last year our patient base has grown to include white- and blue-collar workers who have lost their jobs along with their health insurance," Nicole Lamoureux said. “Free clinics truly are America’s best-kept health care secret.”

Currently in the United States, more than 1,200 free clinics provide health care for the uninsured. Remarkably, this care is provided to people free of charge and the majority of free clinics use no federal or state funding. Four million people received health care from a free clinic in 2008 with the help of dedicated volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, support staffs and community support. In the U.S., more than six million volunteers support the efforts of the free clinics across the country

About National Association of Free Clinics-
The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve in the United States.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, as well as the patients served by free clinics in communities throughout the nation.

[archiemo]

6. Perfect! Thanks for your help!!

[babylonsister]

7. You're welcome! And I hope you report back here about your

experience. I'd love to hear a firsthand account. :hi:

[babylonsister]

8. Oops, dupe. nt