Free health clinic at the Los Angeles Sports Arena draws large crowd
Contributor | 4-27-2010 | Comments |
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Thousands of Los Angeles residents received free healthcare beginning Tuesday morning at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It was the first of a seven-day health fair and clinic put on by L.A. Remote Area Medical. Schuyler Kenney of Annenberg Radio News has more.
As early as 6 am this morning, Remote Area Medical Los Angeles, a non-profit volunteer organization, transformed the Los Angeles Sports Arena into a giant free clinic. Volunteer doctors and medical staff lined the arena floor and surrounding walkways as LA residents waited in line for hours outside and inside of the stadium.
To get in, you must show a red wristband which was handed out for free Sunday on a first come first serve basis.
"1007, 1008. Have the numbers showing!"
“Sunday from 7:30 and I left at about 12 o clock. Just to get the wrist band. Just to come back.”
Despite long wait times, thousands of uninsured people, and even some insured, showed up to receive health, dental or vision treatment.
“Where would you like to go first? Vision? Dental? ‘Dental.’ Dental, this way.”
"I need some medical attention. Dental. I need glasses and I have some physical things that need to be looked at."
There are 2.2 million uninsured in Los Angeles. As California faces a large budget deficit, many say the state's healthcare system is in shambles. Devorah Palomeque is a volunteer who helps direct patients at the clinic. She says she's working today to help the city of Los Angeles.
"I am an Angelino. I need to help my fellow Angelinos. I'm here because it makes a difference. You can’t just write a check, you gotta be here and do something. If you are not healthy, if you cannot be well, you cannot work. Basically it’s the biggest emotion downfall. I think the medical situation in this city and state is pitiful."
Last July Medi-Cal stopped providing dental and optometry services to low-income adults. That's what brought this man who did not want to give his name.
"I have Medi-cal but it don't do no good for nobody. What brought me here this morning is I saw on television that they were doing free dental work. I need dental work and other things that the county took away from our Medi-cal cards. We can't go and get the service anymore. So that's why I’m here."
Others in line faced the same situation, but were happy that they could be treated for free.
"I was forced to retire, since 2004, I had to exhaust all my savings and now I have absolutely nothing. I have to learn to take advantage of what's available."
"It’s a blessing to be able to use these services. Nobody would stand in line like this if they didn't need it."
Los Angeles Remote Access Medical will continue to run the free clinic until May 3. With high unemployment rates and the rising cost of health care, the organization expects thousands more patients in the coming days.
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