1000's Line Up For Charity Medical Care. Democrats Should Be There Instead Of Town Halls.

This story is appearing in multiple papers today.

Democrats should be showing at these venues rather than Town Halls and bringing camera crews and reporters.

The photos of these events happening across the country makes me think of refugee camps and third world countries.

When oh when will Democrats start confronting the Insurance Industry shills and Republicans with these photos and facts.

And some DU'ers should note who is providing the venue for this particular Free Health Clinic. It's a Church.

Please go to source and read whole article.





INGLEWOOD - For Joseph Unger, the blue metal doors that opened into The Forum before dawn Tuesday might as well have been the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

Inside the 18,000-seat arena were angels in scrubs: hundreds of dentists, optometrists, pediatricians, nurses and other volunteers waiting to care for Unger and thousands like him who do not have access to health care.

snip

Through next Tuesday, a total of about 10,000 people are expected to visit The Forum, where 45 medical exam rooms, 100 dental chairs and 25 optometry stations have been set up so that mammograms and diabetes screenings, along with dental cleanings, extractions and fillings, and new glasses, can be offered for free.

The services are coordinated by an international organization called Remote Area Medical. Formed in 1985, RAM has held 575 such clinics all over the world but became better known in recent years after national television showed images of Americans from rural areas driving hundreds of miles to one of the clinics to get an abscessed tooth pulled or a prescription filled.

At a time when health care reform stumbles and staggers on Capitol Hill and incites rage at town hall meetings, RAM quietly manages to garner volunteers and cash to support the clinics.

The Los Angeles event is one of RAM's first "urban expeditions," to provide health needs to the underinsured or uninsured, no questions asked.

snip

Brock said while he is no longer surprised that so many come to the clinics, he still feels for those who have to be turned away at the end of the day, especially in rural areas such as in Africa, where a mother who has walked for days will hold up a baby and beg to be seen.

snip

The Forum was made available for free by the Faithful Central Bible Church, which owns the venue that used to be home to the Lakers and Kings. Volunteers from the San Fernando Valley Dental Society and Providence Health Services, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas's office and about two dozen other groups are supporting the clinic.

snip

In Los Angeles, where people will line up at the crack of dawn for almost any kind of open casting call imaginable, the sight of so many men and women of all ages and races wrapped in blankets, some in wheelchairs, others from as far away as Tennessee, saddened some and angered others.

Leslie Wilkins, 51, of Carson, said he once worked as an electrical engineer at Hughes Aircraft but was unable to continue because of an on-the-job accident that injured his spine.

He said he helped build some of the nation's best aircraft and equipped airports with top security equipment. On Tuesday, he sat in a darkened parking lot, his walking cane at his side, angered that he had to wait in line for free dentures.

"It saddens me because we're one of the richest countries in the world," Wilkins said. "We'll start wars at the flip of a hat, but we can't take care of our own."

Adele Burgarella, 62, said she once knew the life of the rich, of housekeepers and good food and the best furniture. But her companion of several years decided he wanted out of their relationship, taking the lifestyle and health care insurance along with him.

Suffering from diabetes-related complications and three ingrown toenails, Burgarella would be the 1,485th person to be seen Tuesday.

"I'm so ashamed," the Santa Monica woman said. "I didn't think I would ever be like this in my old age."

snip



http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13041485

nt

the fact single payer/medicare for all is the only way to go. It's much easier to let the rabid right off their leash and keep everyone busy fighting with the corp. backed lunatic fringe at town halls. In addition a probable weak or nonexistent public option won't do much for the working poor and the working class at these health care events. They need the savings single payer produces to access a good plan (medical, dental, drugs, hearing, tiny co-pays and no deductibles) for very little.
Not a subsidized bottom level plan that you have to find a second or third lousy paying job in order to pay your share of the premium and deductibles and co-pays.