Vigil And Free Clinic Tied To Weekend Health Care Debate

The National Association of Free Clinics is setting at the Statehouse Convention Center to serve more than 1,300 uninsured to get free health screenings. This comes in the middle of the health care debate as those opposed also voice their concerns.

On the steps of Senator Blanche Lincoln's Little Rock office the Pulaski County Tea Party holds a vigil asking the Senator to vote 'no' to Saturday's vote on the health care debate.

Bob Porto speaks for the Pulaski County Tea Party, "If her decision is to vote according to the people than she will vote 'No.' If her decision is voting with the party she will vote 'Yes.'

Porto says he is for health care reform, but against the nearly 1-trillion dollar price tag and a government run plan. Democrats need 60 votes to start formal debate and Senator Lincoln holds the power to block it.

He continues, "I can say that the bill will for sure cause delay in the care and the denial of services."

Nicole Lamoureux says, "While Congress is talking about all of these pieces of legislation, free clinics are helping the people who need the help right now."

Nicole Lamoureux with the National Association of Free Clinic is in Arkansas, a key state in the heated debate to help the uninsured.

"We know here in Arkansas over a three-year period 490,000 people went without insurance. She continues, "83% of our patients have jobs so I think it's important to recognize that uninsured does not equal unemployed."

Lamoureux says bringing uninsured under one roof for free medical screenings Saturday draws attention to the millions of uninsured across the U.S. who need health care.

What's going on in congress is a reflection of folks torn right here in Arkansas.

Lamoureux says, "Right now what is most important to us is access to quality health care for our 8-million patients."

Porto concludes, "The health care bill the majority of the people aren't interested in what the government is doing."

Friday, Senator Lincoln told Today's THV she is still reviewing the bill, but did not say whether she supports legislation offered by Senator Harry Reid.

The free clinic is non-political and no one will be handing out petitions. 

FREE CLINIC INFORMATION:
More than 1,300 patients already have registered for Saturday's free clinic in downtown Little Rock, but the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) and other organizers are encouraging hundreds more uninsured Arkansas residents to take advantage of this opportunity for free health care.

The C.A.R.E. Clinic will be held Saturday from noon until 7 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

A wide variety of medical services, including physicals and screenings for such conditions as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, will be provided at the clinic. However, vaccinations are not included among those services.

The best way for uninsured people to get medical help at the C.A.R.E. Clinic is by registering beforehand at 877-236-7617. Walk-ins will be seen on a first-come-first-served basis, but they likely would have to wait much longer than people who register ahead of time. Information is also available online at the Free Clinic website link under the picture.