Patients flock to free clinics despite Obamacare

The Miami Herald ^ | January 25, 2014 | Patricia Borns

[2ndDivisionVet]

When the Affordable Care Act became law, Sandra Lozano looked forward to the day when the patients who rely on her free health clinic in Fort Lauderdale would be covered. But even though the new healthcare marketplace has finally launched, at the Light of the World clinic, it’s like the ACA never happened.

“We’re seeing a tremendous increase in people coming to us,” said Lozano, executive director at the clinic, where applications for charitable care are up 25 percent since October.

From Miami to Key West, other free and low-cost clinics say they’ve seen little impact from Obamacare — no drop-off in patient loads and sometimes even an increase, like the Fort Lauderdale clinic.

“We had 8,016 patient encounters last year and don’t expect a change any time soon. We’re looking to expand,” Lozano said....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hahahaha!

[Kid Shelleen]

The next phase of Obama Care will pay people to schedule doctors appointments and regular check ups. That will save us even more money. /S

[hosepipe]

[workerbee]

When the Affordable Care Act became law, Sandra Lozano looked forward to the day when the patients who rely on her free health clinic in Fort Lauderdale would be covered.

Why, sure, if they sign up, they're "covered." But nobody told them -- or Sandra, apparently -- about the $400+ monthly premium and $5,000+ deductible to actually get CARE. In other words.... ain't NObody "covered."

Dumbasses.

[nascarnation]

“I’m covered” commercial parody:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSX49qfPFo4

[workerbee]

LOL my favorite: "please note that the program is working as intended, and refrain from complaining."

Love it!! Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

Signing up for Zerocare requires some effort, and yields you nothing. As someone I used to know in the welfare industry said, in reference to the past elimination of GA in Michigan, the welfare addicts (my term) always land on their feet. Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.

[VerySadAmerican]

I imagine she’s getting some new patients who lost their insurance.

[dfwgator]

Free clinics? Heck I thought those went away after Woodstock.

[nascarnation]

Every time I see the “I’m covered” commercial on tv I become enraged. This parody was therapeutic.

[RetiredTexasVet]

So with Sandra Lozano at the helm, a special kind of stupid lives another day.

[tips up]

Free clinics? I thought it was now against the law to NOT have insurance (individual mandate). And that the exchanges made insurance available to one and all.

[WilliamRobert]

I love it when a plan comes together

[iowamark]

Illegals.

[Recompennation]

Free beats affordable. Better = cheaper =(free).
Why fix something that ain’t broke these users are not lazy in the get it free department no not stupid.

[vpintheak]

Who would pay if they don’t have to?