1,500 Uninsured Arkansans Line Up For A Free Health Care Clinic
1,500 Uninsured Arkansans Line Up For A Free Health Care Clinic
One out of every five people in Arkansas lacks health insurance coverage. However, today over 1,500 uninsured Arkansans received health care at a free clinic hosted by Communities Are Responding Everyday (CARE) at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, which was made possible in part because of calls for donations by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. A wide variety of medical services, including physicals and screenings for such conditions as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, were provided at the clinic.
The Arkansas Times spoke both to volunteers and people waiting to receive care. Several of the volunteers expressed their enthusiasm to help their fellow community members, while at the same time feeling “ashamed” to be in a country where health care is still a privilege:
MAN: Well I came to get health. I do have diabetes and I haven’t been able to get healthcare since I lost my last job. And I am a student so it’s been a little difficult to get a full time job where I can get benefits. [...] I haven’t seen a doctor probably in three or four years. [...] I thank all of the volunteers.
WOMAN: I got laid off in 2008 and since I haven’t had insurance [...]
MAN: I don’t make really enough money to pay bills and have healthcare also. This is a good opportunity for me. And I haven’t really had a check up or anything in more years than I’d like to admit. [...] I’m really thankful.
Watch it:
Earlier today, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) announced today that she would provide the 60th vote “in support of cloture on the motion to proceed” to the health care reform bill. But Lincoln also stressed that she is “opposed to a new government administered health care plan as a part of health care reform and will not vote on the health care proposal introduced by leader Reid as it is written.”
As it is currently written, the Senate health bill would reduce the number of uninsured by 31 million while also reducing the deficit by $130 billion in ten years. So while Lincoln considers voting against the bill, free clinics like the one today remain the only option for hundreds of thousands of people in her state. The next free clinic event is scheduled for December 9-10 in Kansas City, Mo.
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Over a thousand people, and yet Blanche Lincoln STILL says she won’t go for a public option. Well, I hope she can still look into a mirror as her poor constituents DIE bacause of lach of Health care. All these politicans should be forced to give up the Health care WE pay for. This is immoral.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:46 pmsupport the public option
support the public option
November 21st, 2009 at 6:47 pmOSTL
Clinton, Olbermann. Look over there, or over there or anywhere EXCEPT THE TOPIC. My GOD you ignorant punkass trolls are humiliatingly pathetic
November 21st, 2009 at 6:48 pmBlanche Lincoln’s vote to stop the filibuster is what is needed, if she can live with denying her constituents life giving and preserving health care services, that is up to her. Pity her constituents. Getting health care reform done is necessary and it must be done by conscious driven humans who respect the right of individuals a chance at life as guaranteed by the constitution. The people and small business and seniors need this health care reform. The insurance companies have had 60 years to get it right, they chose short term profits over universal, affordable access to care. Small business needs this reform to compete. Oh, did you see in the US Chamber Ad, they say this bill does nothing to control costs?? I think it begs for a solution to the problem: A public option, negotiations with big pharma for RX etc…
November 21st, 2009 at 6:49 pmI’m very proud of Keith Olbermann for starting this, and of myself for contributing and of my fellow Americans who are helping others. I hope our representatives will do the right thing…are you listening, Blanche Lincoln???
November 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pmLamar Alexander just said the the Dems want to dump Americans in a ‘Medical Ghetto’. Classy, no?
November 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pmPoor OSTL
Since he is a COWARD and a moron he cant even TRY to defend himslef so he quietly votes me down. Tough PUNK. That post is here to stay. Others will eventually vote it back up unlike the brainwashed stupidity YOU post which will end up in the sewer
November 21st, 2009 at 6:53 pmAnnie@6, You’re right. Clinton had no right to critize Olbermann. What Keith has done is truly nobel. He has put a face on the fact that MILLIONS of people are suffering.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:54 pmThe Lt. Governor was there. Where is the governor?
November 21st, 2009 at 6:57 pmI am sick of those pompous idiots standing up and saying they are “pro life” when they could care less that thousands of Americans are dying because they do not have health insurance and cannot afford the care they need.
GIVE ME A BREAK. Do they know what pro life means?????
November 21st, 2009 at 7:04 pmLets see….1500 people take advantage of a FREE Health Care Clinic because they have nothing else to turn to. 20% of Arkansasans have no Health Insurance. Unemployment is well over 10% in Arkansas.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pmAnd yet, Blanche Lincoln will fillibuster any HRC bill that contains a Public Option.
This Senator’s detachment from reality and hostility towards her constituents, especially those in great need is astounding.
Then again, she is from Arkansas. The state with the most notorious Union Busting company in the USA. Walmart.
Clinton criticized Olberman (wrongly) because he thinks the notoriety of the clinic will hurt Blanche Lincoln politically.
Clinton is mistaken on this – Blanche Lincoln simply needs to vote in support of the majority of her constituents instead of pandering to the racist WASPs in her state, and the insurance lobbyists.
It is illogical that the so called “pro-lifers” are so anti-life when it comes to medical care.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pmProves they are NOT pro-life, but are really anti-choice, and anti-social. It’s the power they really want. Power to keep their foot on the necks of the poor.
For Clinton to have attacked Olbermann for politicizing the event is sheer hypocrisy.
Health care is at present a political issue, and Olbermann raised awareness of that fact..
Had Clinton attended the free clinic event, it would have been sheer politicking. His own politicking.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:20 pmJust go away, Bill.
Ah poor coward OSTL. His post is now in the sewer where it belongs. It must suck to be as stupid, brainwashed and pathetic as the trolls here are.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:24 pm13 Marie, you beat me to it, but Here is the article
Bill Clinton told FDL’s Eve Gittelson that it would be problematic for him to attend a free medical clinic being held in Little Rock, Arkansas tomorrow because MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann had “politicized” the event.” He indicated that some were turning the event into a primary kickoff against Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
And what “sob stories” would those be, con jerk?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:49 pmhad enough
November 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pmThanks for the link.
ConservaTROLL
Kill yourself punk. You are stupid, brainwashed and pathetic and that is all you will ever be.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:53 pmJim Wolf
REAL pain and suffering of others always counts as just a sob story to worthless soulless creatures like ConservaTROLL
November 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pmthe Senate is voting now on clouture.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pmIt looks like they have moved the Bill to debate to the Senate Floor.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pmOkay, now the real fight starts. I feel that at this point, Obama HAS to get involved and start spending the Political Capital thats he’s been hoarding. This is his signature domestic legislative inniative. If he wants it, he needs to wade in and get his hands dirty. Its time.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
EugeneDebs says,
Not just him Eugene. could apply to Lamar Alexander and ….hell, the entire GNOP.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pmI see a Phantom Troll is voting us down. Show yourself jerk. Debate like a real American instead of hiding behind a computer. If your not pussy.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:17 pmThis damned country is a disgrace.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:18 pmI see we have a cowardly votedown troll. He knows he is too stupid to contribute so he just votes us down and doesnt even TRY to defend his position. How pathetic can you get?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:18 pmHow would you know that Bill Hayseed?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pmI saw the Arkansas Lt. Governor who is a Dem and from the looks of it he sounds like he wants to run for the Senate. The Lt. Governor strongly supports the health care reform bill. In addition, unions and other liberal groups are organizing to promote challenges to any of the Dems who vote against the health care bill. I think those are the bigger problems for Blanche Lincoln. The Dems need to get the message out in the states where the Senators are wavering to turn around public opinion.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 pmMr. Clinton’s remark and behavior are surprisingly unlike him. He’s a smart guy, he must realize that Health Care is already a highly politicalized problem! He was afraid that if he attended the event “some people” might accuse him of dissing Blanche. And “moderate” Dems must stick together.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm. . . although how being against Health Care can possibly be considered “moderate”. It isn’t. It’s an extreme position. I suppose the Insurance Companies have made some big promises to her.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:46 pmOSTL says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Clinton doesn’t show due to the fact that olbermann politicized the event.
So you would prefer those people die rather than to receive the health care they need? Profits over life, right?!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pmconservative guy says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
More sob stories from the left.
The only sob story is your lack of empathy for your fellow human being. Is that a trait of being conservative?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pmEugeneDebs says:
Jim Wolf
REAL pain and suffering of others always counts as just a sob story to worthless soulless creatures like ConservaTROLL
I think these people get off on the suffering and pain of others…must be awesome and fulfilling knowing the only way to get an orgasm is to watch someone suffer.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pmI’m suffering now…
November 21st, 2009 at 11:00 pmshhhhhhhhh, 37…our trolls will kill more sacred sperm!
November 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pmCheetos are an effective form of birth controll.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 amReally? The site thinks that Lincoln is a senator from Alaska. Or can’t be bothered learning the abbreviation of every state.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:35 amOlberman not only brought to light the plight of the uninsured and the need for health reform but also politicized the issue as it should have been. The ONLY way to pass health care reform is through the legislative process and hence it is inherently a political issue. Health care reform is too important an issue not to try and manipulate, coerce and cajole lawmakers into doing the right thing for patients, and not give into the powers of the corporate lobbyists.
The only reason Blanche Lincoln is holding out on voting for a strong public option is because she is too afraid of losing her senate seat and because she is against it on principal. This is too important an issue not to put pressure on her to show that there is a need for a public option in her state AND we will support her if she votes “yes” for the public option. With all due respect to Bill Clinton, he should not dismiss issues that challenge his friend, Blanche Lincoln, as merely being political knavery.
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:04 amWe know that Arkansas and the South in general are hotbeds of diabetes and hypertension. Petrochemical cancers are rampant in Louisiana and Texas. And yet the Senators from those states seem not to notice or care.
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 amWell should be interesting to see how this turns out!
RT
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:10 amOnline Privacy when it Counts
Wonder how many were illegal aliens?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:37 pmWonder how many were SUPPORTERS of the TREASON of Bush and Cheney? Hmmmm…
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:11 pmHow many died sans Clinton?
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm#18,20 and 35. I don’t want to pay for other peoples health care. I pay for my own. If you don’t like I really don’t give a shit.
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 pmFree? Nothing is free. Someone else must pay.
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 pmSee? Yet another example of how volunteerism can work. All of this was done on a voluntary basis and cannot be compared to government threats, coercion, and force.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pmHow about letting people provide health care for no profits whatsoever? The doctors and nurses can volunteer. The pharmaceutical companies can donate medicine. The medical device makers can donate devices.
Instead everyone is clamoring for a system where all these people are guaranteed profits because the government used force to extract money from people.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm