Free Medical Clinic for Uninsured People Draws Thousands

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Huffington Post

Free Medical Clinic for Uninsured People Draws Thousands
First Posted: 08- 4-10 04:30 PM

A massive free health clinic for uninsured people in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday morning attracted nearly two thousand people, from infants to the elderly, all taking advantage of free doctor attention, blood tests and cancer screenings they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

The C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everday) Clinic, sponsored by the National Association of Free Clinics, is the seventh in a series of clinics around the country offering uninsured people HIV/AIDS testing, mental health services, pregnancy tests, pharmacy counseling and strep tests in addition to routine physicals.

Donald Johnson, 50, and his old friend Johnnie Hindsman, 57, said they heard about the clinic and decided to make a day of it, since both of them lost their health insurance when they got laid off from their jobs. Johnson, who worked full-time at the Washington Scholarship Fund before it folded in March 2009, said he came to the clinic to take advantage of the free prostate cancer screenings and to have his blood pressure checked.

"I had a very good plan when I was working -- vision, dental, the whole thing," he told HuffPost. "But that COBRA, it costs an arm and a leg. I think it's terrible -- how can you afford it without an income? I'm 50 years old, trying to avoid the doctor and buy all my medications over the counter."



Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/04/free-medical-clinic-for-u_n_670912.html

[JuniperLea]

1. But... but... but... we have the best healthcare in the world!

Probably all Canadians... pft!

I sure wish we'd hear about these before they happen... I know a lot of people who need this.

[alstephenson]

3. Big Ed and Keith Olbermann have been publicizing the free clinics.

I think there's another one coming up in New Orleans.

[JuniperLea]

4. Good to know!

I don't have cable, so I miss a lot of this. I'll look on their websites!

Thanks!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

6. Also check on NAFC's website for upcoming

clinics. If anyone has the ooportunity to volunteer for one of these, do so ! Even if you have no medical training, they can use you. I worked the one in Hartford CT in February and would do it again. They're well organized and the sense of community among volunteers was great.

[superconnected]

2. While the congressmen who deny people socialized health care and speak about it vehemently

like it's the worst thing in the world, while insuring they themselves have the best health insurance in the country, shite on these people, and continue to insist on hundreds of billions for war dollars.

[Kali]

5. so wonderful what the people involved here are doing

so fucking disgusting that it is needed in America:cry: