Posted on 08/17/2009 8:13:19 AM PDT by markomalley
Inglewood (myFOXla.com) - A massive free health clinic for the under-insured continued Sunday in Inglewood, as the Obama administration backed away from a public option insurance component in its healthcare reform proposal.
The eight-day free clinic at the Forum opened Tuesday, and through Friday, more than 3,000 patients had been served, while others had to be turned away, the Los Angeles Times reported .
The clinic is being run by Remote Area Medical, a Tennessee-based nonprofit foundation that usually sets up mobile clinics in rural America or third-world countries.
The free clinic is the largest and longest-running ever attempted in the 25-year history of RAM. In its first four days, the organization provided more than 2,000 fillings and 1,000 tooth extractions, 236 mammograms and 700 pairs of eyeglasses, according to The Times.
RAM expects to serve 8,000 people during the eight-day clinic.
RAM is non-political, and its organizers, including founder Stan Brock, have stayed away from the battle over healthcare reform.
But supporters of reform said the response to the clinic shows the need for making healthcare more accessible for everyone.
"There are a lot of town halls going on across America, but, you know, I'm going to have another story to tell when I get back to Washington, D.C.," Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Inglewood, said on the first day of the clinic.
"It certainly proves that here in the inner city, healthcare is needed in the worst way," said Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn said. "If that doesn't send a message across America, I don't know what will."
However, in the face of belligerent protests at town meetings by people who have expressed concern over "death panels" and a "government takeover" of healthcare, and resistance from Republicans and conservative Democrats, the Obama administration backed away from a government-run insurance option today.
On CNN's "State of the Union," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a public option is "not the essential element" of healthcare reform.
On "Fox News Sunday," North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad, who is a key negotiator on the plan, said, "The fact of the matter is there are not the votes in the United States Senate for the public option. To continue to chase that rabbit, I think, is a wasted effort."
Their comments came a day after President Barack Obama said, "The public option, whether we have it or don't have it, is not the entirety of healthcare reform."
Instead of single-pay or a public option, administration officials have begun suggesting regional private cooperatives of insurance companies, not unlike what the Clinton administration proposed in the early 1990s. Dubbed Hillarycare by opponents, because then-first lady Hillary Clinton headed the effort, the proposal never got traction and was shot down.
It shows that there is a dearth of providers in Inglewood and shows that they can set up a publicity stunt very easily.
Maybe I'm not realistic, but I don't see how a family of 4 making 66K per year (300% of poverty) is going to be able to afford a $254 per two weeek pay period for health insurance (their bill after affordability credits if HR 3200 passes)...if they can't or won't afford it now. I don't see how a family of four making 44K per year (200% of poverty) is going to be able to afford $118 per 2 week pay period for health insurance.
Especially in an area like greater metro LA. The cheapest 2br apartment I saw advertised in either Crenshaw or Inglewood was $850 per month. Gas prices trending toward $3.00. Food prices up. Health insurance? Are they going to be able to afford that much? I seriously doubt it.
So, Maxine, you're going to have to come up with a better idea. Sorry. Maybe you could instigate another riot like you did in 1992.
California has become a third world country.
NBC “news” has been hyping this as a sign our nation needs OmamaCare. The news guy covering it omits any mention that most of the patients are illegals or street people or neglectful low income parents finally taking their kid in for some treatment (treatment available elsewhere any day of the week).
That is hardly significant (at 0.08%).
The American people are being CONNED as usual by the radical left. “YEP, it’s ALL OVER folks. You conservatives and all of you plain old everyday American serfs and mouthbreathers have WON THE DAY!! You beat us FAIR AND SQUARE! So you can all go home now. Nothing more to do.” Typical leftist swill, scam and fraud with the ever-present assistance of the MSM.
per the Orange county register as of saturday this “free clinic” has only seen 2200 people, and some were from Orange county.. I’ll see if I can find a link
I've been saying Democrats and their running dog lackeys simply have no sense of proportion or scale, and this is certainly evidence of that.
you are right as always..2200 people out of a total pop of what 15 -18 million.. WOW
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