Medical Clinics
In these hard economic times, many people have lost or are losing their medical insurance and therefore, at risk of accumulating high medical bills in the case that they have to go to the hospital. High medical bills on preventable illness could plunge many families that teeter on the edge of poverty, creating a vicious cycle of debt due to lack of medical insurance. As a response to the economic and social state of emergency to which the fledgling economy has drawn the county, many non-profit organizations are starting to open and operate free medical clinics in population centers across the country to help mitigate the financial and health woes of the poor and unemployed members of American society.
These free medical clinics are opening everywhere and are mainly funded by the monetary contributions of philanthropic individuals. Free medical clinics are operated by medical professionals such as doctors and nurses who donate their off-hours to administering health care to the poor, unemployed, or employed without medical coverage. All health care professionals at these facilities are qualified to be doctors and nurses and regularly work at private practices and hospitals. Some are employed by the organizations that organize and run the free medical clinic events. Most free medical clinics run temporarily and are found in local public school gymnasiums after school hours. They can happen in any large room that could be temporarily divided to prevent cross-contamination and spread of disease.
Free medical clinics provide services to sick people, but mostly focus on preventative care measures like routine check ups and vaccinations. Some free medical clinics are funded by government grants and international organizations like the French organization (Medicins San Frontieres). Free medical clinics address many public health concerns like HIV/AIDS and the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. They offer HIV blood testing and vaccines for both strains of influenza, H1N1 and seasonal flu. Dental services are also available at most free medical clinics.
Free medical clinics are mostly available in major metropolitan population centers like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Some free medical clinics are available in less populated areas as epidemics spread everywhere. Population centers are given priority because the diseases transfer more rapidly in more populated areas than in less populated ones. Free medical clinics that only vaccinate can be found in the facilities of county and municipal government’s respective health departments. Free vaccinations are available to people who don’t have or cannot afford health care insurance. This is done at the taxpayers expense because the diseases they vaccinate can affect the entire nation.
There are many websites that function as free medical clinic directories that include details of location and services offered. Some public medical clinics offer their services with only a nominal charge, websites will let their readers know if there is a charge of any sort. There is hope for those who are unemployed or otherwise do not have health care coverage, these medical clinics can provide crucial services that help the less fortunate members of the public get back on their feet. Free medical clinics also help keep insurance rates down for those who do have coverage. Donations to non-profit organizations that run free medical clinics are always welcome in order to provide these crucial services. Donate today if possible, and if not, check the Internet or ask the local government for a referral to one of these facilities.
