Uninsured Should Register Now for Massive Free Clinic in New Orleans
Health, City Life, Louisiana/GulfCoast, Recovery
August 18th, 2011
Full Medical Services Will Be Available
Organizers of the large, one-day free clinic that will be held in New Orleans later this month are urging uninsured Gulf Coast residents to register as soon as possible for appointments.
The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) is sponsoring the C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Monday, Aug. 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“Appointment slots for patients are being filled now, so it’s important for uninsured people to call soon to make sure they can be seen,” NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. “Our ability to handle patients without appointments will be limited though we are hoping to be able to see as many patients as possible.”
Each patient will see a medical practitioner for an initial examination. Based on that examination, the patient may receive additional point-of-care testing including: electrocardiogram (EKG), cholesterol blood test, glucose test for diabetes, muscular-skeletal exam, urinalysis, hemoglobin test, pregnancy test and strep test. Patients also may receive additional services including HIV testing, kidney disease testing and mental health counseling. There also will be a mobile unit available at the event to provide free ultrasounds for pregnant women. In addition, free 90-day, mail-order prescriptions will be available through the generosity of RxOutreach. All patients will receive information on local safety-net providers, such as free clinics, and other resources in the area.
Patients are encouraged to call 1-877-236-7617 to make appointments. Additionally, both medical and non-medical volunteers can still register to work at the clinic. Information for both patients and volunteers is available at: www.freeclinics.us.
This free clinic is not just for the sick but also for anyone who is uninsured and has not seen a doctor recently. Some patients have not seen a doctor in several years, others need a follow-up because they have chronic diseases, and some simply need a checkup or a physical. The one common thing they all share is limited access to get this care.
National Association of Free Clinics
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