As Uninsured Numbers are Released by Census Bureau, Appointment Phone Lines Open for Massive Health Clinic in Dallas

DALLAS, Sept. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the new Census Bureau numbers on the Uninsured are released, organizers of a large, one-day free health clinic that will be held in Dallas on September 29th are urging Texas residents without insurance to register as soon as possible for appointments.

The clinic will be held at the Dallas Convention Center, Hall A, 650 South Griffin St., on Sept. 29th, and patient appointments will be available between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patients are encouraged to call 1-800-340-1301 to make an appointment.

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is sponsoring the C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic in conjunction with the Lone Star Association of Charitable Clinics (LSACC) and the North Texas Association of Charitable Clinics (NTACC).

The Census Bureau announced that the number of uninsured in the country declined from 50.0 million in 2010 to 48.6 million in 2011, just a 0.6% change. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country, with about 26 percent of adults and 22 percent of children lacking health insurance.

"These numbers show that there is still a great need for access to medical care in this country," said G. Bobby Kapur, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Chief of the Emergency Center, Ben Taub General Hospital.  "This free clinic will provide Texans who are uninsured the opportunity to receive preventive, primary medical care and to be connected to the area's safety-net providers, such as charitable clinics, as well as other available community resources."

Over 1,000 uninsured people are expected to receive free medical care that day, with the help of close to 1,000 volunteers.  Both medical and non-medical volunteers are still needed and are encouraged to register now to work at the clinic.  Information and volunteer registration is available at: www.nafcclinics.org

Each patient that attends the C.A.R.E. Clinic will see a medical practitioner for an initial examination. Based on that examination, the patient may receive additional point-of-care testing including: electrocardiogram (EKG), cholesterol blood test, glucose test for diabetes, muscular-skeletal exam, urinalysis, hemoglobin test, pregnancy test and strep test. Patients also may receive additional services including kidney disease testing, mental health counseling and more.  There will also be children's services available including eye exams and glasses, as well as vaccinations.

Event sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is arranging for the Care Van Program to provide free childhood immunizations and children's flu vaccine from 10am – 1pm.  To be eligible for free vaccinations, children must be uninsured or have insurance that does not cover vaccines and their parent or guardian must bring the child's immunization record.  Families with insurance are encouraged to check with their insurance company to verify covered vaccines.   Children that have CHIP or Medicaid, or that are Native American or Alaskan Natives are also eligible.   Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In addition to these various medical services, free 90-day, mail-order prescriptions will be available through the generosity of RxOutreach.  All patients will also receive information on local safety-net providers, such as charitable clinics, and other resources in the area that are available to them.

Further information on the event and how to register to volunteer is available online at: www.nafcclinics.org/. Information on how to donate to support this and future clinics is also available at that address by clicking on the "Donate Now" button.

About the Organizations:

The National Association of Free and Charitable 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 and charitable 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 and charitable 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 and charitable clinics in communities throughout the nation. For more information, go to: www.nafcclinics.org/.

The Lone Star Association of Charitable Clinics (LSACC) is a statewide organization that supports Texas's free and charitable clinics. Our mission is to enhance the overall ability of Texas charitable clinics to provide the highest level of care. LSACC and its members share a common mission of addressing the needs of the uninsured by using the generosity of our communities as a base of our operations. For more information, go to: www.tx-lsacc.org.

The North Texas Association of Charitable Clinics (NTACC) is a regionally based collaborative group in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The mission of NTACC is to serve as an advocate for member clinics and for the populations they serve. NTACC exists to inspire, inform, connect, mentor, renew and support the charity clinics of North Texas and surrounding communities.
 
The National Association of Free Clinics logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14473