The Associated Press: Long lines as free health care offered in LA area

The Associated Press: Long lines as free health care offered in LA area:

The Los Angeles event marks the first time Remote Area Medical has provided such medical care in a major urban area. The medical group typically serves patients in rural parts of the United States and travels to underdeveloped countries.

The piercing sound of teeth being drilled and scraped echoed up to the rafters where the Los Angeles Lakers once played to the roar of capacity crowds. Mobile health trucks provided other medical examinations, and tables full of donated eyeglasses were available to those who had eye examinations done.

Since 2000, The Forum has been owned by Faithful Central Bible Church, which donated the use of the facility for a week. The medical professionals volunteered their time and covered their own liability. Cash and services were donated by local hospitals, health systems and charitable groups.

Tennessee-based RAM's founder Stan Brock said he helps organize 30 to 40 such health care events a year, with a total of 567 events held to date, adding: 'We just wish we could do more.'

'This need has existed in this country for decades and decades,' said Brock. 'The people coming here are here because they are in pain.'
The event came at a time when the national debate over President Barack Obama's health reform plan has boiled over at town hall meetings, with opponents sometimes shouting down Democratic members of Congress who favor the program.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., told a cheering crowd of volunteers and medical professionals at The Forum that she would continue to advocate for health care reform because 'we can do a better job of providing health care to those who desperately need it.

Let's see, 567 events times maybe 500 people each, how many anecdotes is that?

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