This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Remember last August, right as the national healthcare reform debate was getting a bit wild, when a huge free medical checkup event set up for a week at The Forum in Inglewood? Well, they're coming back in April from the 24th through May 4th--this time at the Coliseum. The Coliseum Commission yesterday, at the request of L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, voted unanimously to waive rental fees for use of the Sports Arena for Remote Area Medical's return.
Last August, more than 14,000 uninsured, under-insured, unemployed and under-employed people were treated when the Forum in Inglewood was transformed for eight days into a multiservice facility by RAM-LA. The total estimated value of care delivered was at least $2.8 million. This year, they expect more people because of the more centralized location.
From general health check ups to dental and vision, scores of local doctors (even this writer's eye doctor!) came out to help. “The RAM-LA event provides an extraordinary display of volunteerism,” Ridley-Thomas told the Coliseum Commission, thanking members for their support of the program. With more people expected this year, that's all the more reason they'll be looking for volunteers.
