Series of Large Free Clinics for Uninsured Tops 10,000 Mark for Patients Served

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) has served more than 10,000 uninsured patients at eight large free clinics across America since last September. The 10,000 mark was reached today in the second day of a two-day C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic in New Orleans.

"After eight C.A.R.E. Clinics in the past year, we are humbled and excited to have provided high-quality health care to more than 10,000 patients," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "We couldn't have achieved the success without the help of more than 9,000 medical and non-medical people volunteering their time to help their neighbors who are without health care coverage."

Other cities where C.A.R.E. Clinics have been held include Houston, Little Rock, Kansas City, Hartford, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. New Orleans was also the site of a previous, one-day clinic last fall.

"These clinics are not a permanent solution, and we are glad that through them we have been able to connect our patients to free clinics and community safety networks in their areas for ongoing medical attention," Lamoureux said. "The clinics also call attention to the work more than 1,200 free clinics across the nation do each day."

The clinics have been staffed by medical and non-medical volunteers. They have not been paid for by taxpayers' dollars but by donations from about 44,000 everyday citizens and others who want to help people in need. People who want to donate to the NAFC or learn more about free clinics can go to www.freeclinics.us.

"Free clinics have been serving America's working poor since the 1960s, but over the last year, our patient base has grown to include white-collar and blue-collar workers who have lost their jobs and health insurance," Lamoureux said.

In 2008, free clinics across the nation provided care to about 4 million uninsured people. In 2009, that doubled to about 8 million people, despite a decline in donations. A $1 donation to free clinics typically provides $5 worth of services.

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics

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