With an estimated 400,000 people in Los Angeles County unable to qualify for health coverage under the federal; Affordable Care Act, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center have moved to provide free health care for those still in need.
The My Health LA program, which launches October 1, is a no-cost health care program through 164 community partner clinics for low-income residents of Los Angeles County who do not have health insurance. The program, which received $61,000 in funding from Los Angeles County, has evolved from a two decade-long partnership between LA County and local community clinics and health centers. Patients will receive primary care services at clinics, such as health screenings, physicals, chronic disease management, and prescription medications. Specialty care and more acute services will be provided by LA County’s Department of Health Services.
“My Health LA demonstrates the commitment of Los Angeles County to expand health coverage to the uninsured and to ensure access to care for the most vulnerable among us,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. “Every person living in Los Angeles deserves access to health care and we will not stop until this is achieved. We need health care for all.”
By giving access to medical care for all residents, patients can treat their symptoms early on in their illness and avoid much more expensive emergency care later on. In addition, diagnosing certain contagious illnesses at their onset is increasingly important to contain them quickly.
Since January, hundreds of thousands of people in California have enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. In addition, free medical, dental and vision services recently were made available to thousands through the fifth annual Care Harbor Free Clinic.
St. John’s Chief Executive Jim Mangia noted that the center, which offers primary care services and supportive services to address families’ educational, socio-economic, and mental health needs, will not turn anyone away.
Sister Dolores Riojas of St. Thomas Church in Los Angeles said many of her parishioners were lacking in healthcare.
“We thank Supervisor Ridley-Thomas for the leadership he has provided in helping working families,” she said. “Now they will be getting treated early on.”
Click here to find a clinic near you. Participants should call the clinic to make an appointment to enroll and to make sure the clinic is taking new patients.
It’s been three years since Kameron Lyons, 21 of Long Beach has seen a dentist. The Cal State University Long Beach senior says that she has suffered through extreme pain in her mouth for the last three months that prevents her from eating anything cold including her favorite- ice cream.
But on Thursday, thanks to the Care Harbor LA free healthcare clinic, Lyons received two fillings and a teeth cleaning from a dentist free of charge.
“My mouth feels better now,” Lyons said. “I’m grateful and really happy to be here.”
The mounting cost of tuition and books has forced Lyons to spend her limited income on school rather than healthcare.
“It’s nice to know that people care about those of us that don’t have the luxury of going to a dentist,” Lyons continued. “The aura here is positive, the people volunteering are happy to be here and it is all good vibes.”
For four days, hundreds of doctors, dentists, nurses and other volunteers provide free screenings, treatment, prevention resources and follow-up care to thousands of uninsured, underinsured and at-risk individuals and families inside the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. At the clinic, patients also will be able to receive HIV tests, specialty medical care and primary care.
Like Lyons, James Scott, 75 of Los Angeles is thankful for the opportunity to receive free healthcare at the clinic. Scott says that he has stopped driving altogether because of his poor eyesight and that he is looking forward to seeing an optometrist.
“I’m reliant on my right eye and have become a one-eye reader,” Scott said. “I have Medicare but it doesn’t fully cover what I need and I can’t afford to see an optometrist. My license is expired and I need a prescription and glasses so that I can see better and pass the vision exam at the DMV.”
One of the primary goals for the event is not only to provide people with quality, holistic medical care, but to sign up eligible residents for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
“We want to create an event so that the people going through the line this year are not going to have to have to be in line next year,” Don Manelli, president and founder of Care Harbor said. “We are working hard to become obsolete.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose office is one of the sponsors of Care Harbor LA, said that the need for the event is clear, referring to the line of individuals waiting to enter the sports arena to receive medical attention.
“We are proud to provide compassionate and efficient healthcare to thousands of individuals in need of care,” he said. “Care Harbor represents the best of our communities and humanity at its best to help those who are less fortunate.”
It’s been three years since Kameron Lyons, 21 of Long Beach has seen a dentist. The Cal State University Long Beach senior says that she has suffered through extreme pain in her mouth for the last three months that prevents her from eating anything cold including her favorite- ice cream.
But on Thursday, thanks to the Care Harbor LA free healthcare clinic, Lyons received two fillings and a teeth cleaning from a dentist free of charge.
“My mouth feels better now,” Lyons said. “I’m grateful and really happy to be here.”
The mounting cost of tuition and books has forced Lyons to spend her limited income on school rather than healthcare.
“It’s nice to know that people care about those of us that don’t have the luxury of going to a dentist,” Lyons continued. “The aura here is positive, the people volunteering are happy to be here and it is all good vibes.”
For four days, hundreds of doctors, dentists, nurses and other volunteers provide free screenings, treatment, prevention resources and follow-up care to thousands of uninsured, underinsured and at-risk individuals and families inside the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. At the clinic, patients also will be able to receive HIV tests, specialty medical care and primary care.
Like Lyons, James Scott, 75 of Los Angeles is thankful for the opportunity to receive free healthcare at the clinic. Scott says that he has stopped driving altogether because of his poor eyesight and that he is looking forward to seeing an optometrist.
“I’m reliant on my right eye and have become a one-eye reader,” Scott said. “I have Medicare but it doesn’t fully cover what I need and I can’t afford to see an optometrist. My license is expired and I need a prescription and glasses so that I can see better and pass the vision exam at the DMV.”
One of the primary goals for the event is not only to provide people with quality, holistic medical care, but to sign up eligible residents for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
“We want to create an event so that the people going through the line this year are not going to have to have to be in line next year,” Don Manelli, president and founder of Care Harbor said. “We are working hard to become obsolete.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose office is one of the sponsors of Care Harbor LA, said that the need for the event is clear, referring to the line of individuals waiting to enter the sports arena to receive medical attention.
“We are proud to provide compassionate and efficient healthcare to thousands of individuals in need of care,” he said. “Care Harbor represents the best of our communities and humanity at its best to help those who are less fortunate.”
Danielle Kahl, 25, of Los Angeles, says it’s been years since she saw an optometrist. The left arm on her three-year-old prescription eyeglasses is missing, and making do has been difficult. Kahl, who is unemployed, arrived at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena at 5:30 a.m. Sunday with her 23-month-old son, James, to reserve her place at the 6th annual Care Harbor LA free clinic. Kahl, like thousands of other people from throughout Southern California, had lined up to obtain the wristbands that would guarantee them treatment Thursday at one of the nation’s largest events promising free health care to all comers.
From Thursday through Sunday, hundreds of doctors, dentists, nurses and other volunteers provide screenings, treatment, prevention resources and follow-up care to thousands of uninsured, underinsured and at-risk individuals and families. At the clinic, patients also will be able to receive HIV tests, specialty medical care and primary care.
“I’ve never been to an event like this,” Kahl said. “This is so cool.”
Don Manelli, president and founder of Care Harbor, notes that one goal for the event is not only to provide people with quality, holistic medical care, but to help eligible residents sign up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
“We want to create an event so that the people going through the line this year are not going to have to have to be in line next year,” Manelli said. “We are working hard to become obsolete.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose office is one of the sponsors of Care Harbor LA, said that the event is a testament to the profound work of volunteers to help those in need.
“Care Harbor is an example of compassion, ingenuity, skills, expertise, time and money, rolled into an annual event to help those who are less fortunate,” he said. “It represents the very best of our communities.”
For Antonio Relnado-Sergio, 52 of Van Nuys, who is homeless, looking down at the green wristband that will admit him into the clinic on Thursday gave him a sense of relief. After losing both of his front teeth, he will finally have to opportunity to see a dentist. Relnado-Sergio says he has been actively seeking work but has been told an unattractive smile is to blame for the lack of follow-up interviews.
“I got it,” said Relnado-Sergio, referring to his wristband. “God bless the organizers of this event. This is amazing.”
Danielle Kahl, 25, of Los Angeles, says it’s been years since she saw an optometrist. The left arm on her three-year-old prescription eyeglasses is missing, and making do has been difficult. Kahl, who is unemployed, arrived at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena at 5:30 a.m. Sunday with her 23-month-old son, James, to reserve her place at the 6th annual Care Harbor LA free clinic. Kahl, like thousands of other people from throughout Southern California, had lined up to obtain the wristbands that would guarantee them treatment Thursday at one of the nation’s largest events promising free health care to all comers.
From Thursday through Sunday, hundreds of doctors, dentists, nurses and other volunteers provide screenings, treatment, prevention resources and follow-up care to thousands of uninsured, underinsured and at-risk individuals and families. At the clinic, patients also will be able to receive HIV tests, specialty medical care and primary care.
“I’ve never been to an event like this,” Kahl said. “This is so cool.”
Don Manelli, president and founder of Care Harbor, notes that one goal for the event is not only to provide people with quality, holistic medical care, but to help eligible residents sign up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
“We want to create an event so that the people going through the line this year are not going to have to have to be in line next year,” Manelli said. “We are working hard to become obsolete.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose office is one of the sponsors of Care Harbor LA, said that the event is a testament to the profound work of volunteers to help those in need.
“Care Harbor is an example of compassion, ingenuity, skills, expertise, time and money, rolled into an annual event to help those who are less fortunate,” he said. “It represents the very best of our communities.”
For Antonio Relnado-Sergio, 52 of Van Nuys, who is homeless, looking down at the green wristband that will admit him into the clinic on Thursday gave him a sense of relief. After losing both of his front teeth, he will finally have to opportunity to see a dentist. Relnado-Sergio says he has been actively seeking work but has been told an unattractive smile is to blame for the lack of follow-up interviews.
“I got it,” said Relnado-Sergio, referring to his wristband. “God bless the organizers of this event. This is amazing.”
County residents in need of free vision, dental or medical care should clear their calendars: at 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, Care Harbor LA an annual free clinic for families and individuals in need, will distribute 1,000 wristbands on a first come basis at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena’s VIP Parking Lot.
Although the upcoming four-day clinic will take place from September 11-14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., only those who obtained wristbands ahead of time will be seen. Each wristband will have a specific day printed on it designating the day on which patients should return for treatment.
During Care Harbor LA the Sports Arena will be transformed into a medical clinic where hundreds of doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurses and general volunteers will be onsite to serve those who are uninsured, underinsured and in need of medical, dental and vision care.
This will be the sixth massive free clinic produced by Care Harbor, in an effort to bring desperately needed care to the most vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County. The organizers and healthcare professionals who formed Care Harbor, a nonprofit organization, are dedicated to providing free care to thousands of uninsured and underserved people in Southern California. Last year more than 3,000 patients were served at the Care Harbor LA clinic. Just as the previous years, this year’s free health care clinic is forecasted to serve thousands of people.
The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena is located at 3939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
County residents in need of free vision, dental or medical care should clear their calendars: at 9 a.m. Sunday, September 7, Care Harbor-LA an annual free clinic for families and individuals in need, will distribute 4,000 wristbands on a first come basis at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena’s VIP Parking Lot (gates will open at 7:00 am).
Although the upcoming four-day clinic will take place from September 11-14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., only those who obtained wristbands ahead of time will be seen. Each wristband will have a specific day printed on it designating the day on which patients should return for treatment.
During Care Harbor-LA the Sports Arena will be transformed into a medical clinic where hundreds of doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurses and general volunteers will be onsite to serve those who are uninsured, underinsured and in need of medical, dental and vision care.
This will be the fifth massive free clinic produced by Care Harbor, in an effort to bring desperately needed care to the most vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County. The organizers and healthcare professionals who formed Care Harbor, a nonprofit organization, are dedicated to providing free care to thousands of uninsured and underserved people in Southern California. Last year more than 3,000 patients were served at the Care Harbor LA clinic. Just as the previous years, this year’s free health care clinic is forecasted to serve thousands of people.
One wristband per person.
Patients will not be admitted into the free clinic without a wristband.
The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena is located at 3939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
