Free health clinic in New Orleans for uninsured residents of Louisiana

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."

In addition to the toll-free number for patients to register for the C.A.R.E. Clinic, patients and volunteers also can find information about the clinic online at: http://freeclinics.us/. All types of medical volunteers are needed to help with the C.A.R.E. Clinic in New Orleans. Non-medical volunteers also are needed to help with documentation, logistical support and patient intake, as well as assisting patients with scheduling follow-up appointments at their local charitable clinics.

More than 1,200 free clinics across the United States, including a dozen in Louisiana, provide health care for uninsured people at no charge to the recipients. The majority of free clinics use no federal or state funding. During 2008, four million people received health care from free clinics with the help of more than six million volunteers, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and support staffs.

"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 addition to the C.A.R.E. Clinic in New Orleans on Nov. 14, similar clinics will be held at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock on Nov. 21 and the Kansas City Convention Center's Bartle Hall in Kansas City on Dec. 9-10.