Thousands Line Up In Oakland For Free Health Clinic

[Newsjock]

Source: KCBS

Hundreds of volunteers and thousands of patients gathered at the Oakland Coliseum for the start of a four-day free health clinic.

The event was organized by Tennessee-based nonprofit Remote Area Medical, a group primarily known for providing free medical services overseas and in rural and underserved areas of the United States.

... Organizers advised patients to begin lining up at midnight the night before they’d like to be seen.

... Volunteers began handing out numbers at 3:30 a.m. and patients were seen on a first come, first served basis two hours later. The group said they hope to see at least a thousand patients a day.

Read more: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/04/09/thousands-line-up-in-oakland-for-free-health-clinic/

[Ishoutandscream2]

1. Good God!

Sheer insanity. But the millionaires need their tax cuts.

[DeSwiss]

2. K&R n/t

[FormerDittoHead]

3. This is why I donate to NAFC. Coming to Tacoma, Wa April 30th!

http://www.freeclinics.us/

They're getting most of my donate-able money because, IMO, I think this SHAMES our medical system.

It's a way to make people WAKE UP to the fact that we don't have "the best system" in the world.

The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC), along with the Washington Free Clinic Association will be sponsoring a one day free medical clinic for the uninsured on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Tacoma, Washington.

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=934048

[msongs]

4. hope they all got information supporting single payer health care SB 810 while waiting nt

[Bennyboy]

7. None of that at all..

Very non political. Just about getting help and people willing to do it.

[Bennyboy]

5. I was at the Sacramento event last week...

And these people are amazing. Really incredible thing they do.

But for everyone that was there, I thought of ten people I know that could have been there or should have been there.

It was grea to get my teeth clenaed, some glasses,a nd get a physical and an adjustment. made my life just a bit better even though I now know I am diabetic and have no idea how to deal with that.

Really I would love to spend the rest of my life working with this group...

[hayu_lol]

6. Karel is really pushing the Oakland event on KGO San Francisco...

right now--taking calls about it.

[Bennyboy]

9. Some photos

The Line

Bigt Semis all over one just for glasses on the spot!


The Sac event had a buddhist thing going on. The sponsor were a buddhist group and they were WONDERFUL!

[BenzoDia]

8. If Remote Area Medical is legit, I'd say this is donation worthy.

[Bennyboy]

10. Beyond legit....

Really the coolest thing I have ever seen.

Huge trucks, dental stations glaore, 12 eye stations. Free frames and glasses even bifocals (up to a point)....

[Bennyboy]

11. You had to show up by about Midnight

to be seen the next day. But that created a sense of community there. So you were with the same people so there was no tension there. I got there are at 10PM and was number 221.

They passed out numbers at 3:30 Am and began seeing patients at 5:30.

If you were not there by the time they gave out a certain number of tickets, you were out of luck.

But once you were in you could do anything. And you could go get other stuff done if you were waiting for tests, or glasses etc.

MANY people came back for all three days, they had so much wrong with them. especially dental. Some patient needed multiple teeth cleanings that could not be accomplished on one day.

[shanti]

18. eyes and teeth

are health issues that usually get kicked to the curb, but are SO important to your overall health. i'm so glad for you that you got the help you needed!

[Delphinus]

19. They are.

Saw a 60 Minutes report back in 2008 - used it in the education process for Single Payer. They are a godsend for the needy.

[somone]

12. And we live in the wealthiest, most powerful country in the world?

Disgusting.

[psychopomp]

13. Another sign of the growth of the working poor in the US

[blueclown]

14. We have the best health care in the world.

*Insert GOP talking point here*

[fasttense]

15. I wish they would bring one of those to east TN.

My kids fell of my health insurance and to keep them on, I would have to about $24,000 a year for 2 healthy young adults.

So, my daughter is trying to find a health clinic. She called several of them and they all were very discouraging. First she would have to find the time and money to drive up to them (about an hours drive one way). Fill out reams of paperwork to see if she qualified. Then she would have to wait 6 weeks to find out if she qualified. Then if she qualified, she would have to wait 12 weeks until there was an opening then make an appointment.

Not to mention the people on the other end of phone conversations were very rude, condescending and inconsiderate.

Don't you just love our great health care system?

[antigone382]

16. Check your papers. They come to Winchester, TN once a year...

(March, I believe). I'm sure they come to somewhere in East Tennessee at some point. I don't know if Remote Area Medical has a website announcing their schedule or not, you might try that.

I brought an immigrant friend and her daughter to one two years ago. to get some bad teeth pulled. They don't ask for any proof of income or anything, just show up (VERY early, like before midnight the night before), get a ticket, and wait. The wait is very long, because as you can imagine there are a LOT of people (especially with Tennessee's awful public health options). Also, it's a pretty utilitarian affair--no laughing gas, and you only get pain meds if you get eight teeth pulled or something. But it is a critically important opportunity for a lot of people. I know they do dental and vision, and I believe they deal with back issues and gynecological exams as well.

[Bennyboy]

17. April 30th-May 1st Anderson County Clinton TN....

http://www.ramusa.org/expeditions/schedule.htm

[fasttense]

21. Thanks for the link, it is very useful.n/t

[Vinca]

20. I know articles like this don't tear at the heart strings of most politicians,

but shouldn't they at least be embarrassed that in their red, white and blue, exceptional country, people have to beg for basic medical care? Are there lines in Britain? France? Germany? Spain? Anywhere else but the good old USA? No. Take Mr. Obama's Nobel prize back and give it to Remote Area Medical.

[raccoon]

22. I'd rec this if I could. Kick. nt

[Bennyboy]

23. Up for good things

[defendandprotect]

24. We need Congress to be on line waiting for medical care -- !!

[Oasis_]

25. At the same time

One realizes it can't get any better, but also---any worse than this. Dickens immediately comes to mind.

God bless each and every one of you who waited patiently for something that is a HUMAN RIGHT, and should be made readily available to every citizen of the United States.

[defendandprotect]

26. Agree -- and is looking more Dickensian every minute here in US -- !!

United Nations Human Rights Manifesto --

A Guarantee of Food, Shelter, Clothing, Medical Care -- !!

:)