Appointment Phone Lines Open for Free Health Clinic in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, June 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Orleans area residents without access to health care are urged to call and register as soon as possible for an appointment at the large, one-day free health clinic that will be held in New Orleans on July 3rd. The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is sponsoring the C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic, where individuals will be able to receive free medical care as well as be connected to local resources.
 
The clinic will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall J, 900 Convention Center Blvd, on Wednesday, July 3rd, and patient appointments will be available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Patients are encouraged to call 1-800-340-1301 today to schedule an appointment.
 
According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 23 percent of non-elderly individuals are uninsured in the state of Louisiana.  "There is still a great need for access to medical care in this country," Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC executive director, said.  "This free clinic will provide those in the state who are uninsured the opportunity to receive preventive, primary medical care and to be connected to the area's safety-net providers, such as free and charitable clinics, as well as other available community resources."
 
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.  In addition to these various medical services, free 90-day, mail-order prescriptions will be available through the generosity of RxOutreach.
 
Both medical and non-medical volunteers are still needed and are encouraged to register now to work at the clinic.  Additional information on the clinic, as well on registering to volunteer, is available at: www.nafcclinics.org.  ; Information on how to donate to support this clinic is also available at that address by clicking on the "Donate Now" button.
 
About the Organization:
 
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/.