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Thousands flock to LA Sports Arena for free medical clinic

By  Corey Moore  and Brian Frank
Published Oct 31, 2013 1:41 PM
Listen • 2:34
Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Dental assistants clean instruments during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31. More than 4,000 LA residents will receive free care over four days.
Dental assistants clean instruments during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31. More than 4,000 LA residents will receive free care over four days.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Elsie Cuevas of Los Angeles tries on new glasses frames in the vision care area during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Elsie Cuevas of Los Angeles tries on new glasses frames in the vision care area during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Evette Richardson of Land Beach receives a fluoride treatment from dental assistant Gabriela Diaz during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Evette Richardson of Land Beach receives a fluoride treatment from dental assistant Gabriela Diaz during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Optician Charles Hamlin takes someone through an eye test Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Optician Charles Hamlin takes someone through an eye test Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Nursing student Kelli Cale checks Los Angeles resident Filogonio Valencia's blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Nursing student Kelli Cale checks Los Angeles resident Filogonio Valencia's blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Optician Caroline Vartanian does an eye exam with Los Angeles resident Laura Cruz during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Optician Caroline Vartanian does an eye exam with Los Angeles resident Laura Cruz during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Artificial teeth are kept on hand in the dental area during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Artificial teeth are kept on hand in the dental area during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Los Angeles residents receive dental care during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Los Angeles residents receive dental care during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Los Angeles residents receive dental care during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Los Angeles residents receive dental care during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Dental assistants clean instruments during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Dental assistants clean instruments during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Nursing students check blood pressure during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Optician Caroline Vartanian gives eye exams to Los Angeles residents during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Optician Caroline Vartanian gives eye exams to Los Angeles residents during Care Harbor's annual Los Angeles medical clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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A patient receives free dental care at Care Harbor/LA, a massive mobile clinic that opened Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, and continues for four days. The free clinic was set up to help individuals and families who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise at-risk and in need of care.
A patient receives free dental care at Care Harbor/LA, a massive mobile clinic that opened Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, and continues for four days. The free clinic was set up to help individuals and families who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise at-risk and in need of care.
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Corey Moore/KPCC
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Marcus Mackbee, 51, said he lost his job due to a seizure and doesn't have insurance. He said he attended the free mobile clinic to check his vision and hopefully get glasses.
Marcus Mackbee, 51, said he lost his job due to a seizure and doesn't have insurance. He said he attended the free mobile clinic to check his vision and hopefully get glasses.
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Corey Moore/KPCC
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Cesar Moreno,18, said he does not have insurance and attended the mobil clinic for a dental checkup.
Cesar Moreno,18, said he does not have insurance and attended the mobil clinic for a dental checkup.
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Corey Moore/KPCC
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Dorothy Dotson, 71, said she needs glasses and dental work done.
Dorothy Dotson, 71, said she needs glasses and dental work done.
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Corey Moore/KPCC
)

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Over the next four days, some 4,000 people who are uninsured or at-risk are expected to head to the Los Angeles Sports Arena for healthcare services as part of a massive — and free — mobile clinic.

Put on by the nonprofit Care Harbor, the event began early Thursday, as people lined up for free medical, dental and vision care with the help of scores of medical professionals and community volunteers.

Dorothy Dotson, 71, said she needs glasses and dental. She said she didn't know she needed a wristband but was able to get one from one of the organizers —  and she was grateful.

"I can get me some glasses and get my teeth cleaned at least," Dotson said.

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Nichelle Hobbs came to get glasses. She said it means a lot to take part in the free clinic, because her current insurance doesn't cover vision.

"I kind of know what's wrong. I had glasses before — my daughter broke them. I have astigmatism to the sun and bright lights," Hobbs said.

The event is sponsored by L.A. Care Health Plan and runs through Sunday.

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