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Free medical care a godsend
Published Monday, March 10, 2008
Tom Hintgen
Many of the close to 50 million people in this country who don’t have health insurance, or who are underinsured, live each day with the fear of a catastrophic event, car crash, heart attack or major illness.
One of them, Rebecca McWilliams, 28, had surgery for cervical cancer in 2005. It’s been two years since she had her last pap smear — something she was supposed to have every six months. Finally, the Virginia woman took advantage of the opportunity to attend a free Remote Area Medical clinic, set up for a weekend in Knoxville, Tenn.
"I think many doctors would say you (McWilliams) have taken a terrible risk waiting this long," CBS correspondent Scott Pelley said.
"I really have,” said McWilliams, “but it's very hard to afford it (medical care). I have three kids and my husband lost his job this past summer.”
Stan Brock is the founder of Remote Area Medical. In a matter of hours, Remote Area Medical sets up its massive clinic, for a weekend, in exhibit halls, armories and other locations throughout the United States.
Tools for dentists are laid out, optometrists make hundreds of pairs of glasses and general medical doctors set up for whatever might come though the door. Nearly everything is donated, and everyone is a volunteer.
The care is free, with donations to Remote Area Medical pouring in from all areas of the country. People who have no health insurance or who are underinsured show up by the hundreds on any given weekend.
On March 2 the CBS program “60 Minutes” showed film footage and interviews they had conducted during a Remote Area Medical weekend of medical care at Knoxville, Tenn.
Brock said he was surprised by the number of people who came when he set up the first clinic in the United States. Originally, Remote Area Medical clinics were established to help needy people in Third World Countries.
“The numbers here in the United States are getting higher,” Brock said. “I don't know if it's because we're getting better known, or if the health care in this country is getting worse.”
On a Saturday, at 6 a.m., those without heath insurance or those underinsured entered the free health clinic by the numbers. Inside, 276 volunteers from 11 states were waiting.
For those who were diagnosed with cancer on that particular day in Knoxville, or people who had other ailments such as diabetes and heart disease, RAM tried to find volunteer doctors who would follow up.
One man drove 200 miles to get to the clinic and slept in the parking lot for several hours. He was in excruciating pain with an infected tooth that had been plaguing him for several weeks.
A dentist saw the man, Marty Tankersley, who previously had two heart attacks and heart surgery a few years ago. The Tankersleys live in Dalton, Ga., and fall into the underinsured category.
Tankersley is a truck driver and has major medical insurance through his employer. But the deductible is $500, unaffordable to him at the present time. He said dental insurance costs too much.
One of the last people in line at the free clinic in Knoxville was Joanne Ford who is retired, lives on disability, has no insurance and has glasses that don't work anymore.
"I’m sad that we’re the wealthiest nation in the world, and — in many cases — we don't take care of our own,” she said. “This free clinic is a real godsend.”
Tom Hintgen is a reporter with The Daily Journal. His column runs Mondays.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by mgdbottled (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article. Wealth shouldn't be measured in just material things, though. A truly wealthy country would provide at the very least medical coverage free of charge for all its "citizens" on an equal basis regardless of their economic standing. To not do so is simply immoral. The USA has a fine medical system for those who can afford it. The USA is far from the wealthiest country in the world, IMHO. We have a corrupt government and a corrupt corporate system supported by either ignorant people or corrupt people and even our political candidates are arguing over whether we should all be forced to buy into a corrupt insurance company run medical system who counts on those high deductibles deterring common folk from seeking preventative care. Really pathetic. We're better off without insurance and applying for medicaid if the unthinkable occurs. Again, just my opinion.
Posted by jrsfffr (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The overall all premise of the story is that there is a large group of people who volunteer to help people who don't have medical coverage. This sounds like a good idea to me as long as the GOVERNMENT isn't on the hook to fund this or run the program. This country was built to be such a great nation on capitalism not socialism or communism. In fact most often when the government gets involved they tend to screw things up.
I also want to call out a rather misleading statement in the article. The beginning of the article talks about people living in fear of a car accident, heart attack, or catastrophic event. The truth is that in the state of Minnesota no hospital can turn away a someone regardless of their insurance status.
Lastly, the comment that mgdbottled made about high deductible deterring common folk from seeking preventative care is also mis-leading. Most insurance plans either cover all preventative care or you have to pay a small co-pay of up to $100. Since preventative care should only be once a year it seems like $100/yr is a pretty small fee for a check-up.
Posted by tomsmom (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No socialism, eh? What about Medicare and Medicaid? They are prime examples of a socialist program. It is healthcare subsidized by the government. If our nation can provide healthcare for the elderly and disabled, they should be able to provide it for all people. Secondly, just because a hospital cannot turn someone away due to lack of healthcare coverage doesn't mean they won't bill you for their services. And they will, and at a higher rate than what it costs someone who has insurance. Insurance companies strike deals with hospitals for their enrollees. Medical care is provided at a reduced rate to those who have insurance. The hospitals are happy to do it because they are guaranteed to recieve payment. Lastly, for someone living paycheck-to-paycheck, a hundred dollars or any abstract amount can be hard to come up with sometimes. I worked as an ER nurse for 2 years at LRH and you would be surprised how concerned people are with their hospital tab, even in emergent times. People would ask me how much things would cost, and even refuse certain diagnostic tests and treatments because of this fact. I now work as an ICU nurse at MeritCare in Fargo and field many of the same queries. The sad realization is that most people, including those in a power to change things, don't realize how much healthcare costs.
Posted by jennyg1955 (anonymous) on March 11, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am married and have 2 stepdaughters. Because I am not the biological mother I do not qualify for the health coverage my husband and stepdaughters do. So right now I have none. I was very ill last week and needed to see a Dr. My husband called Fergus Falls Medical Group for an appointment for me. Because my husband owed a previous bill which we could not aford to pay all of it at once, I was turned away from their services. Now that is small town caring isn't it..??? As ill as I was, my husband was forced to find a different town who would treat me. This is So Sad, and Pathetic... Especially when I live 4 blocks away from the clinic here.
Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on March 11, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
3 years ago, I came to Fergus for my dad's funeral. I was living out of state at the time. I arrived several days early so I could spend time with friends. I became ill, and ended up having to go to the emergency room. Before I knew it, I was assigned to a hospital room and was hooked up to multiple IV's. The remainder of my stay was in the hospital, and actually had to get a pass to get out to attend the funeral.
No one could diagnose me. No one knew what was wrong with me. It was recommended that when I get back the state I was currently living in, I have more tests. They confirmed that there something wasn't quite right, but couldn't tell me what was wrong either.
I had no insurance. The state I was residing in wouldn't help with the bills, because I was hospitalized in Minnesota. Minnesota wouldn't help me, because I lived in a different state. I ended up with nearly $17,000.00 worth of medical bills, the majority from the hospital.
I have not had the money to pay the bill. I am being chased by lawyers, and my wages are being garnished.
To add insult to injury, I developed a blood clot in my leg. I tried to set an appointment at the clinic, and was refused because of the money I owed them. I was so angry! I said "So I could die, and no one would care, is that right?" Her response? "I'm sorry ma'am. Unless you can pay the balance you owe today, there's nothing we can do." There was no point in going to the emergency room in Fergus Falls since they would expect me to follow-up with a doctor appt., which they wouldn't give me in the first place. I had to go somewhere else.
I'm just thankful I'm still alive today.
Posted by hamberger (anonymous) on March 12, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There isn't a doubt in my mind that we need health insurance reform but having free insurance as they do in Canada is NOT a good option. People there wait months for diagnostic test and even years for surgery. It is not uncommon for people to wait weeks in the hospital with broken bones or fractured hips waitng for surgery. I know this as I work at a hospital that borders Canada.
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