Americans wait overnight for access to free healthcare as costs soar ‘out of reach’

This post was originally published on this site.

The Trump administration’s recent pullback on health insurance has left fewer Americans with coverage.

For the uninsured, being treated for certain conditions may be out of the question due to high costs.

This has led some Americans to wait multiple days, some even sleeping overnight in their cars, to seekfree healthcarefrom volunteer clinics like Remote Area Medical (RAM).

LEANN RIMES’ EMOTIONAL REACTION TO JAW RELEASE THERAPY SPARKS WIDESPREAD BUZZ

The Tennessee-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1985, employs volunteer healthcare professionals to treat Americans without insurance at no cost.

In a recent episode ofCBS News’ “60 Minutes,”host Scott Pelley spoke with people waiting to be brought into the clinic.

Medical professionals from around the U.S.volunteer their time at Remote Area Medical clinics.(Remote Area Medical)

In February, Sandra Tallent drove 200 miles from Huntsville, Alabama, to RAM’s pop-up clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, tohave her teeth examined.

SIMPLE BRUSHING ROUTINE COULD REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK, DENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS SAY

She arrived at the clinic site at 4:30 p.m.on a Wednesday and spoke to Pelley from her car at 5 a.m.Friday, after sleeping for two nights in the parking lot.

Pelley asked, “If you didn’t have RAM, how would you get your teeth taken care of?”

Tallent responded, “I wouldn’t.”

Some Americans have been waiting hours and even sleeping overnight in their cars to be seen by a doctor.(iStock)

Tallent was later seen by a dental expert and had dentures created in RAM’s 3D denture-printing lab.

Connor Gibson, a 22-year-old engineer, uses computer design to get the job done in just about an hour, according to the report.This is a process that can typically take weeks.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

“We see grown men cry sitting in the chair,” Gibson told “60 Minutes,” describing what it’s like for patients to see themselves with anew set of teethfor the first time.

This includes Tallent, who looked in the mirror and smiled with tears in her eyes, expressing her gratitude.

patients and volunteers sit at tables at clinic

Remote Area Medical clinic volunteers and patients at a center in Tennessee.RAM has recently expanded its services to include women’s health exams, general wellness checkups and sports physicals. (Remote Area Medical)

“All of our services are provided free of cost to patients on a first come, first served basis,” he said.“And we do that through our team of dedicated volunteers and professionals that come from all around the county.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

RAM provides cleanings, fillings and extractions and comprehensive eye exams and access to an eyeglass lab that can manufacture eyewear and dentures, according to Hall.

About 60% of patients seek dental care, he said, and about 30% to 35% seekvision care.

Optometrist giving eye exam to senior man seated in exam chair

RAM provides cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as comprehensive eye exams and access to an eyeglass lab that can manufacture eyewear and dentures.(iStock)

RAM has recently expanded its services to includewomen’s health exams, general wellness check-ups and sports physicals.

premiums and deductiblescan be “out of reach.”