Monday, August 17, 2009
Tomorrow is the last day.
Tomorrow is the last day. For the health care fair in Inglewood at the Forum.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
For more information in Los Angeles dial 211
For more information in Los Angeles dial 211 on your phone.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Health care fair so crowded...
Health care fair so crowded it has become a fire hazard.
They're now passing out wristbands to be seen. Go and get your wristband before it's too late.
They're now passing out wristbands to be seen. Go and get your wristband before it's too late.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thank you Doctors and volunteers
Thank you to all the Doctors and volunteers for helping the Los Angeles community.
Leave a comment and say thanks to all the Doctors and Volunteers.
Leave a comment and say thanks to all the Doctors and Volunteers.
Free Health Care Clinic in Inglewood at the Forum
Free Health Care Clinic in Inglewood at the Forum - Like hundreds of others who showed up in the pre-dawn hours for free health care at The Forum in Inglewood, 50-year-old Arturo Castaneda was relieved that he would receive the care he needed.
Eventually.
Though blind, Castaneda's wasted eyes flitted over the hundreds of doctors and nurses who had volunteered to provide free dentistry, medical exams and vision care to the 1,500 uninsured, underinsured, unemployed and needy patients.
You can watch Gigi Graciette's report in the video player.
"This is beautiful, very beautiful. A very beautiful service they are doing for these people," he said.
The Los Angeles event marks the first time Remote Area Medical has provided such medical care in a major urban area. The medical group typically serves patients in rural parts of the United States and travels to underdeveloped countries.
The piercing sound of teeth being drilled and scraped echoed up to the rafters where the Los Angeles Lakers once played to the roar of capacity crowds. Mobile health trucks provided other medical examinations, and tables full of donated eyeglasses were available to those who had eye examinations done.
Since 2000, The Forum has been owned by Faithful Central Bible Church, which donated the use of the facility for a week. The medical professionals volunteered their time and covered their own liability. Cash and services were donated by local hospitals, health systems and charitable groups.
Tennessee-based RAM's founder Stan Brock said he helps organize 30 to 40 such health care events a year, with a total of 567 events held to date, adding: "We just wish we could do more."
"This need has existed in this country for decades and decades," said Brock. "The people coming here are here because they are in pain."
The event came at a time when the national debate over President Barack Obama's health reform plan has boiled over at town hall meetings, with opponents sometimes shouting down Democratic members of Congress who favor the program.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., told a cheering crowd of volunteers and medical professionals at The Forum that she would continue to advocate for health care reform because "we can do a better job of providing health care to those who desperately need it."
There are about 47 million uninsured Americans, according to federal estimates.
"It's awful, people who say we don't need a national health program," said 61-year-old Paula Cook as she waited for a mammogram. After she lost her job two years ago, she lost her health insurance and hasn't been able to find insurance that will accept her.
"Now, no one will insure me because they say I have a pre-existing condition -- a hip replacement!" said Cook.
Demand was high for dental care Tuesday. In the wake of budget cuts to Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, dental care for adults hasn't been covered since July 1. If Castaneda, who is blind, unemployed and living in a Skid Row shelter, hadn't been able to attend the event, he said it's unlikely he would have gotten the care he needed.
The tired, sweaty crowd outside The Forum grew noisy when volunteers announced that they would need to return the next day to see a dentist.
"I don't have money to come back tomorrow! I borrowed money to get here today!" yelled Ontario resident Jocelyn Langham, 53. A cracked tooth and the fruitless 10-hour wait had frazzled her nerves.
Brock called on more area medical professionals to volunteer to work the event in coming days, and for Congress to pass a law that allows doctors to provide care in any state. The event will be held daily through Aug. 18.
Eventually.
Though blind, Castaneda's wasted eyes flitted over the hundreds of doctors and nurses who had volunteered to provide free dentistry, medical exams and vision care to the 1,500 uninsured, underinsured, unemployed and needy patients.
You can watch Gigi Graciette's report in the video player.
"This is beautiful, very beautiful. A very beautiful service they are doing for these people," he said.
The Los Angeles event marks the first time Remote Area Medical has provided such medical care in a major urban area. The medical group typically serves patients in rural parts of the United States and travels to underdeveloped countries.
The piercing sound of teeth being drilled and scraped echoed up to the rafters where the Los Angeles Lakers once played to the roar of capacity crowds. Mobile health trucks provided other medical examinations, and tables full of donated eyeglasses were available to those who had eye examinations done.
Since 2000, The Forum has been owned by Faithful Central Bible Church, which donated the use of the facility for a week. The medical professionals volunteered their time and covered their own liability. Cash and services were donated by local hospitals, health systems and charitable groups.
Tennessee-based RAM's founder Stan Brock said he helps organize 30 to 40 such health care events a year, with a total of 567 events held to date, adding: "We just wish we could do more."
"This need has existed in this country for decades and decades," said Brock. "The people coming here are here because they are in pain."
The event came at a time when the national debate over President Barack Obama's health reform plan has boiled over at town hall meetings, with opponents sometimes shouting down Democratic members of Congress who favor the program.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., told a cheering crowd of volunteers and medical professionals at The Forum that she would continue to advocate for health care reform because "we can do a better job of providing health care to those who desperately need it."
There are about 47 million uninsured Americans, according to federal estimates.
"It's awful, people who say we don't need a national health program," said 61-year-old Paula Cook as she waited for a mammogram. After she lost her job two years ago, she lost her health insurance and hasn't been able to find insurance that will accept her.
"Now, no one will insure me because they say I have a pre-existing condition -- a hip replacement!" said Cook.
Demand was high for dental care Tuesday. In the wake of budget cuts to Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, dental care for adults hasn't been covered since July 1. If Castaneda, who is blind, unemployed and living in a Skid Row shelter, hadn't been able to attend the event, he said it's unlikely he would have gotten the care he needed.
The tired, sweaty crowd outside The Forum grew noisy when volunteers announced that they would need to return the next day to see a dentist.
"I don't have money to come back tomorrow! I borrowed money to get here today!" yelled Ontario resident Jocelyn Langham, 53. A cracked tooth and the fruitless 10-hour wait had frazzled her nerves.
Brock called on more area medical professionals to volunteer to work the event in coming days, and for Congress to pass a law that allows doctors to provide care in any state. The event will be held daily through Aug. 18.
Health Care Fair
Inglewood - The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced today it will extend service hours for the Line 115 bus because of overwhelming demand for transportation to the Forum for free medical and dental care.
Service on the line has been added from midnight to 5 a.m. Buses will run every half hour. The line runs from Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue in South Gate to the Inglewood Transit Center.
The line normally operates from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The clinic for uninsured, under-insured and unemployed people will run through Aug. 18. It is being conducted by Remote Area Medical , a nonprofit volunteer group that provides free medical services around the globe.
Lines formed quickly outside the Forum today for the first day of the clinic, which opened at 5 a.m. A total of 1,500 tickets were handed out, and the rest of the people were turned away, told to return Wednesday or another day of the event.
Service on the line has been added from midnight to 5 a.m. Buses will run every half hour. The line runs from Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue in South Gate to the Inglewood Transit Center.
The line normally operates from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The clinic for uninsured, under-insured and unemployed people will run through Aug. 18. It is being conducted by Remote Area Medical , a nonprofit volunteer group that provides free medical services around the globe.
Lines formed quickly outside the Forum today for the first day of the clinic, which opened at 5 a.m. A total of 1,500 tickets were handed out, and the rest of the people were turned away, told to return Wednesday or another day of the event.
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