Free Clinic for Uninsured Returns to New Orleans as Local Community Still Works on Post-Katrina Recovery

NEW ORLEANS, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) and MSNBC's "The Ed Show" will return to New Orleans next month for another massive free clinic, highlighting the slow recovery of the community's health care system. Even today, it has been reported that an entire section of New Orleans remains without a hospital after several were forced to close following the hurricane, leaving many people without any access to medical care.

The clinic will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"Disasters get much attention right after they occur, but many people often forget about them when the headlines fade away," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "We are returning to New Orleans on the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, because the health care infrastructure has been only partially rebuilt following the destruction that occurred when the levees failed."

This will be the sixth free health clinic "The Ed Show" has broadcast from. MSNBC has raised over $3 million dollars in viewer donations to help this cause.

"Though Hurricane Katrina occurred six years ago, the city of New Orleans is still in desperate need of resources and help," show host Ed Schultz said. "The community's health care system is struggling and there are so many hard-working Americans there that haven't had access to basic medical attention in years. I urge everyone to learn about the work the NAFC does. The clinic is only made possible through volunteers and donations, and we still need support to make the Aug. 29 clinic happen."

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Louisiana has the 10th highest rate of uninsured, nonelderly residents with more than one out of every five persons lacking health care insurance.

Both medical and non-medical volunteers are needed. Information and registration is available at: www.regonline.com/2011NOLACARE. To donate to support the C.A.R.E. Clinic, go to www.freeclinics.us and click on the "Donate Now" button. Patients also may register at by calling 877-236-7617.

The NAFC is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve.

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics