Dr. Oz's Free Clinics Help The Uninsured

On Saturday, September 26, television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a free clinic in Houston, one that attracted over 1,700 people. It was the largest non-disaster-related free clinic in United States history.

The free clinic featured over 700 volunteers, 200 doctors and 300 nurses. Oz chose Houston because of its high rate of uninsured residents, nearly one out of every three. The Reliant Convention Center hosted Oz's team and volunteers from the National Association of Free Clinics, an organization mentioned on Countdown with Keith Olbermann and by the Stein family in a recent feature on HuffPost Impact.

The complete special on Dr. Oz's free clinics can be seen through his website.

In an interview with CBS news, Dr. Oz and Dr. Jonathan LaPook discuss a man who could not afford to see a doctor, despite having a six-figure income just the previous year. Oz flew this man to New York where he was given a free examination and colonoscopy.

WATCH:

Comments

[princeza]

08:51 PM on 10/17/2009

What a wonderful organization. Keith Olbermann has been reporting about this organization for a couple weeks now, and included it in his special "Special Comment". Keith deserves Kudos for bringing this to our attention, and his efforts to raise money. But the true heroes here are the volunteers- doctors, nurses, et al. What they do is absolutely wonderful, yet reminds us we should, as a nation, be ashamed that these are so badly needed.

Fortunately, both of my Senators is on the side of the Public Option- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). My Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy has signed onto a letter urging inclusion of a Public Option in the final legislation. http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200910/100809b.html

[bobthecats]

05:19 PM on 10/17/2009

I think this is wonderful, but I believe the largest free clinics have been by Remote Area Medical. Both groups are very generous and I commend them.

[GirlOutWest]

10:30 PM on 10/16/2009

My goal is to be even half the person Dr. Oz, Dr. LaPook and the clinic workers are. They make me proud.

[happygilmore08]

08:25 PM on 10/16/2009

I'm one of the many who do not have health insurance. However, while I am actively looking for a job in this horrible market I've also taken the time to volunteer to help NAFC and have asked all my friends and family to sign up as a volunteer as well. Thank you Dr. Oz for your humanity and empathy.

[TechGirl]

11:42 AM on 10/16/2009

If you go to his website and see some of the stories of people who showed up to the Free Clinic, they are amazing. I hope the Democrats who were recently elected by the people and hold the majority stand up for the people who elected them and make the health care bill comprehensive with a public option. Obviously, the scare tactics used by insurance companies commercials on t.v. and the Senators who are being paid to spread the lies should be ignored.

[TXfemmom]

09:06 AM on 10/16/2009

Our TX Senators and representatives in TX have fought health care reform while we have these statistics on the uninsured. It is appalling. Harris County collects taxes and it funds two public hospitals and clinics but their clinics are so poorly run and disorganized and set up in a manner to discourage the working poor from being able to get effective care at those clinics.

[hollyhund]

10:45 PM on 10/16/2009

Not all our reps are fighting reform. I am in the 9th district in Ft Bend County and my rep, Al Green is for the public option. I want it called Medichoice since the Blue Dog Senator from LA said that people want "this free plan"???? and she is not for it!! When I heard her say this,I wanted to throw something at the TV!!!! ...when did anyone ever say this would be free?? Just like Medicare is not free if you have any income! So it would be Medicare,Medicaid and Medichoice!! Case close!

[Bozwellian]

09:49 AM on 10/18/2009

What an EXCELLENT suggestion to reNAME the option as MEDI-CHOICE !! Everyone should forward this suggestion to the elected reps prontotissimo..start with flooding the WH with the far more appropriate MEDI_CHOICE name !!! It emphasizes that will be a CHOICE , that alone is a PLUS !!! ANyone but a TOTAL fool realizes there WILL BE A COST FACTORING as there ain't no free pass available other than the present free pass to proper rules/regulationing of the insurance (pyramid) system that allows for their extreme profiteering while denying real healthcare to those in need !!!