Health Care in Orange County: Who is Responsible?
About a month ago, Orange County hosted its first health care expo, providing free exams (dental and vision) to those who are uninsured and underinsured. The event was focus on the homeless and low-income population, but people from the middle class were also in attendance to receive basic check ups.
According to a 2007 California Health Interview Survey, 18.5 percent of Orange County adults do not have insurance. This number does not include the number of children who are not covered by health insurance; nor does the statistic include the number of people who have recently become uninsured due to the recent economic downturn.
Los Angeles County had two similar events, hosted by Remote Area Medical, that treated 6,556 patients in 2010, and more than 6,300 in 2009. The event provided dental services, HIV tests, podiatry services, mammograms, Pap smear and acupuncture services.
These events were made possible with private and public organizations, as well as local government support. Giving Children Hope’s mobile medical clinic facilitated health services in the all three events.
With the economy not showing any signs of promise- unemployment rates are still up and job creation lags- and the new health care legislation not taking effect until 2014, should the county host more of these events?
Whose responsibility is it to help the underserved residents of Orange County have better access to affordable health care?
What do you think?
Health Care in Orange County: Who is Responsible?
About a month ago, Orange County hosted its first health care expo, providing free exams (dental and vision) to those who are uninsured and underinsured. The event was focus on the homeless and low-income population, but people from the middle class were also in attendance to receive basic check ups.
According to a 2007 California Health Interview Survey, 18.5 percent of Orange County adults do not have insurance. This number does not include the number of children who are not covered by health insurance; nor does the statistic include the number of people who have recently become uninsured due to the recent economic downturn.
Los Angeles County had two similar events, hosted by Remote Area Medical, that treated 6,556 patients in 2010, and more than 6,300 in 2009. The event provided dental services, HIV tests, podiatry services, mammograms, Pap smear and acupuncture services.
These events were made possible with private and public organizations, as well as local government support. Giving Children Hope’s mobile medical clinic facilitated health services in the all three events.
With the economy not showing any signs of promise- unemployment rates are still up and job creation lags- and the new health care legislation not taking effect until 2014, should the county host more of these events?
Whose responsibility is it to help the underserved residents of Orange County have better access to affordable health care?
What do you think?
