Patients Should Register Now for Free Health Clinic for Uninsured Residents of Washington Area

WASHINGTON, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Space is limited at the massive free clinic for uninsured people to be held in Washington, D.C., on August 4, so patients should call 1-877-233-5159 now for appointments.

The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) will sponsor the free clinic on August 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. Appointments will be available for up to 1,500 people.

"This free clinic is not just for the sick but also for anyone who is uninsured and has not seen a doctor recently," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "All participants will receive preventive primary medical care and be connected to the area's safety-net providers."

This will be the seventh in a series of large, mostly one-day C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinics held around the country to bring together physicians and other health care professionals, as well as non-medical volunteers, to serve the needs of thousands of people who might otherwise go without medical care. Since last September, more than 8,000 uninsured patients received treatment at C.A.R.E. Clinics in Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City, Hartford and Atlanta.  

"Many people who attended the previous C.A.R.E. Clinics found out they had health issues they didn't know about," Lamoureux said. "Our physicians are these events dealt with multiple health conditions that saved people's lives. We expect much of the same will happen at the free clinic in Washington."

In addition to the toll-free number, 1-877-233-5159, for appointments, information about the clinic is available online at: http://www.regonline.com/DCCARE. The site also includes information for medical and non-medical volunteers, who are needed to participate in this one-day free clinic. Volunteers are needed not only on the day of the event, Aug. 4, but also to help with set up on Aug. 3.

In 2008, free clinics across the nation provided care to about 4 million uninsured people. In 2009, that doubled to about 8 million people, despite a decline in donations. A $1 donation to free clinics typically provides $5 worth of services.

Medical volunteers needed for the Washington clinic include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians, medical administrators, licensed clinical social workers and more. Non-medical volunteers are needed to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation, as well as to be patient greeters and escorts.

About the National Association of Free Clinics:

The National Association of Free Clinics 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 in the United States.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, as well as the patients served by free clinics in communities throughout the nation.

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics