Uninsured and Need Medical Care?

Local health clinics — and the National Association of Free Clinics — can help

by: Melissa Stanton, from: AARP

On August 4, the NAFC turned the arena floor of Washington, D.C.'s convention center into a one-day free clinic.

Ralph Freidin, MD, an internist from Lexington, Mass., is volunteering at his fifth NAFC free clinic event. He takes time off from his job and travels on his own dime. "The diseases are the same here as what I encounter in my practice," he explains. "But instead of seeing high blood pressures of 160/92, we see 190/110. Instead of seeing diabetes that is moderately well controlled, we see diabetes that is out of control."

Of the uninsured patients age 50+, Dr. Freidin observes: "They are people who might not even make it to Medicare eligibility age."

The stories are the same, clinic after clinic, says Freidin: " 'I don't have insurance.' 'I don't have a doctor.' 'I don't have health care.' " Of the uninsured patients age 50+, Freidin observes, "They are people who might not even make it to Medicare eligibility age."

More than 1,200 patients preregistered for the D.C. event in order to receive free preventive and diagnostic care, including diabetes and cancer screenings. Another 500 or so walk-in patients were treated as well. Nearly 400 medical practitioners volunteered their services, assisted by several hundred nonmedical helpers.

Volunteer Jan Nichols, a newly retired high school teacher, traveled to D.C. from her home in Arizona. Nichols, who is insured through Medicare and views her retirement years as a time to "give back to community and society," was stationed at the entrance when the clinic announced it couldn't serve any more walk-in patients. "I folded," she says. "Even though they were given a bagful of literature and resources, I couldn't look into their faces without cracking."

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Finding Health Care

People in need of free or low-cost health care can locate services in their area by visiting the National Association of Free Clinic's directory as well as the government website Find a Health Center.

Affordable medications can be found through RX Outreach and the non-profit organization NeedyMeds. Another resource for assistance is AARP's Benefits QuickLINK.