One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Uninsured? Wednesday's free health clinic will include surgery, mental health services
Patients receive free dental care at a 2010 mobile clinic at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
(
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen
0:46
Uninsured? Wednesday's free health clinic will include surgery, mental health services
A three-day free mobile health clinic opens Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but unlike other mobile clinics, this one will offer more than the usual primary care, eye exams and dental work.
The Pathway to Health clinic will also offer mental health screenings, minor surgeries on site for things like biopsies and wound care and complex outpatient surgeries at local hospitals for the 34 people who signed up in advance.
A total of 2,500 medical, dental and psychological professionals will volunteer their time, according to Costin Jordache, spokesman for Your Best Pathway to Health, the organization putting on the clinic.
Except for the complex off-site surgeries, the event is first-come, first-served. Those who sought the more complicated operations were pre-screened Tuesday with a referral from their doctor, Jordache said.
Most of those who attend will most likely be uninsured or insured but unable to afford deductibles or co-pays, he said.
Organizers say they are prepared to handle up to 10,000 patients. Other co-sponsors include the Glendale Adventist and White Memorial Medical Centers and Loma Linda University.
This will be the first time the Pathway clinic is in Los Angeles. Your Best Pathway to Health has organized similar clinics in San Antonio, San Francisco and Spokane.
- What: Pathway To Health Clinic
- Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 Figueroa Street
- When: April 27-29; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wed. and Thurs; 7 a.m. to noon on Fri.
- For more info: YourBestPathwayToHealth.org or call 1-888-447-2849
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
