Uninsured residents of Louisiana who want to attend a free health clinic in New Orleans on Saturday, Nov. 14, should call 877-233-5159 toll-free as soon as possible to schedule appointments.
About 400 doctors and other medical providers and 700 other volunteers are expected to participate in the C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sponsored by the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC). They will provide care for all types of medical issues at no cost to participants or taxpayers from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
"People without insurance are up to four times less likely to have a regular source of health care and are more likely to die from health-related problems," Jeanette Alcon, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Free Clinics, said. "The C.A.R.E. Clinic could give many of them their first opportunity in a long time to receive professional help for their medical problems."
Almost 22 percent of Louisiana residents do not have health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the nation.
"Almost 2,000 people turned out for a similar one-day, free clinic in Houston in September, so we urge people to register in advance to be seen by health care professionals at the New Orleans C.A.R.E. Clinic," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "We also will try to accommodate as many walk-ins as possible, but that will be on a first-come-first-served basis."