Doctors Within Borders

This p$%%es me off. Time for socialized medicine. Could the government really screw up as much and the for profit, life sucking businesses in the health care industry today??

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This is a great program...maybe one day it can be done more than annually. In Flagler County, Florida a group of volunteers operate the first Free Clinic which opened in 2005. We have been open the first and thrid Saturdays of each month and are expanding to Sundays also. Our numbers have grown from 8 patients on the first Saturday we opened to a high total of 86 patients. We are providing primary care, women's health care, and are soon to add dental services. This clinic only serves those who do not have insurance or the funds for medical care. One other Dr. and myself started the clinic and quicly recruited other healthcare providers, nurses, and clerical staff...if we can do this in a small town...I challenge other counties to meed the medical needs of its population in this way. There is no easy solution to the healthcare problem but while we're working on one people still need care.

For those who think we are sending so much money to Africa... We are stealing their natural resources to maintain your way of life so the less we can do is helping them in some ways. google us and foreign aid it will tell you all about the money this country give to Africa... europe give africa way more money by the way and every one in europe has affordable health care. So, for the ones who think the us is dumping money on Africa, you have it all wrong.. Your politicians just does not care about your well being, that's the problem, not africa.

I don't believe the article portrays the people in SW VA as stupid or ignorant. The other commentors need to be a bit more sympathetic to those who "have-not". I do think the article fails to mention that there are many people all around the country including in well-populated areas not just rural out-of-the-way locations in these same situations. We have fellow Americans suffering and so poor that are neglected in care, however we send millions of dollars in aid internationally. Somehow food stamps, WIC and Medicaid is just not cutting it. The U.S. needs to figure out how to minimize abuse of these programs and focus more help on domestic problems.

I think it's important to keep in mind that it's just not the uninsured that doesn't receive health care. Those with insurancego bankrupt from medical costs and will stand in line for a "Doctors Within Borders" -type charity. Dental insurance should become more mainstream and have at least preventative care provided by all health insurance companies (not just Delta for example). And there should be more coverage for root canals, crowns, etc. To assume that these people don't own a toothbrush and that's why their teeth are falling out is ignorant. You can brush and floss three times a day - if you don't get preventative care and are predisposed to bad teeth, your teeth will not last.
I am a hard working, educated, middle class woman with a good job and good insurance. However, I'm still one paycheck away from being homeless and unisured (Cobra is expensive and eventually runs out). Let's not forget that the floor can drop from beneath any one of us at a moment's notice. If needed, I hope my government and my community would be there to support me until I get back on my feet. I agree that there are those that do take advantage. But can we ignore those that truly need assistance for legitimate reasons because of a few rotten apples?

I wouldn't want you as my nurse. I hope you are perfect, because you certainly pass judgement on other people. What do you think their opinion of you would be? I guess it wouldn't matter..........because you are so smart and they are so dumb, correct? I really think in your profession if you cannot work up any more empathy than that, you should find another line of work.................for everyone's sake.

if only i had the money to afford medical anything hard enough to make enough to insure i have somewere to sleep and at least one meal a day that could be said not to be unhealthy for me. the ability to go to the dental school right here in baltimore and be seen that day. because i cant miss more then a day of work a week or the next place i'll be renting a be a parking space on the street. might at times be perfered to the place im in now since it leaks the roof the pipes and still waiting for it to burst into flames due to the eletical system is so old its wraped in paper and half the outlets dont work thanks to water. i could take the easy way out for medical help get arested free food free houseing free medical damn and dont have to do nothing while im there but watch jerry springer and bitch about who going to go down on me that night the new fish or the blow fish.............. whats a year or two in jail when i get out all those nice people waiting at all these want a be saved churches a be only to happy to help me. tempting

Thank you for such an informative article. All too often, the media portrays the Appalachian region very negatively and in a very degrading and dismissive manner, unsympathetic to the plight of those who live in it. The place will never get better if it's constantly insulted. However, this article is well written and makes the larger point of health care availability without insulting the population, while actually embracing the prevailing local charm and humor despite adverse conditions - the steely perserverance of the Appalachian folk. I grew up and live in the area, and am one of the lucky ones who have health insurance. I never, ever take it for granted, especially seeing folks around me who wish they have it yet do not have it. I commend the efforts of the volunteer medical staff and thank them wholeheartedly for their dedication.

i do know how it feels to need health care and dental care and not be able to afford it..my husband works 6 days a week, i used to work till i broke my foot and found out 3 months later after several er and regular office visit that we had to pay for out of pocket ,that it was broke and didn't heal right,, i have also found out recently that i have type 2 diabetes...we pay taxes and we should be able to get affordable health care for our families my husband's job offers both health and dental we have the dental but it still cost alot even after insurance pays thier part .forget the health it costs the same as a house payment a month...america could offer health plans that could be adjusted so anybody can afford it,, and doctors could offer reduced rates and even affordable payment plans,,most people would be really grateful to get thecare they need and still be able to live on an fixed income...my son had chip for a little bit we were paying 30.00 a month that was no problem but then we started making less than a 100.00 more a month and they took him off because we made too much,,hello! cost of living has tripled and so has everything else ,,,i hope and Pray something is done to ease thisburden for all of us...

Disgusting. We have flushed Trillions of dollars down the Toilet in Africa, when we have Americans suffering here. Why are we throwing money at animals in africa, instead of taking care of our own? Unbelievable!

I have a family of 5. Middle class. Have worked in insurance for 25 years. I pay 1/2 of my medical premium monthly, have a $4000.00 deductible and pay for my own dental which only covers cleanings. My daughter who is 20 and living at home is under her own health plan but she can not afford her deductible/coinsurance amnts so I pay those amounts. My son who is 18 was injured in April. He has to go to college so that he can stay under our insurance because he will need further care and will not be able to get his own policy soon enough to have continual coverage... We all work and work hard. I yearly pay over $10,000 in medical bills because of the health conditions we have.

One of our biggest concerns as a nation has to be our medical care. When patients require medical care and can not pay for it, someone loses out. That is the doctor or the hospital that ends up doing free services. Most of the business's out there are out there to make money, and medicine is the one field that routinely is doing services for free. There isn't government money paid to individual providers to cover those "bad debts". Those are free services that are performed. We as a nation need to provide the basic medical care that each person deserves and provide it at a reasonable cost.

For any one out there claiming its the fault of the individuals for not working hard enough or not taking care of themselves...all I can say is eventually you will be a part of the existing Medicare system if you live long enough, and you will find out first hand what limited care or restricted care is. The medical practice I work at is limiting the number of Medicare patients we will accept because we do not get paid enough to cover the costs associated with their care. Eventually we will all feel the bite of this failed system.

This is a prime example of what is wrong with our goverment. We spend billions on people throughout the world so we can feel justified in telling them how to live their lifes but ignor our own citizens because there is no reward or sufficient press to warrent it. Its too bad these poor folks can't afford a good lobbiest or two, maybe someone in Washington would take notice.

This type of story make me very angry!! I am from southern West Virginia, (about 3 hours from Wise) this article portrays the people in Appalachia as ignorant, stupid and standing around with their hands out!! For anyone who doesn't know, coal miners are very well paid for the risks they take, actually they are one of the better paying jobs in this area. My father worked every day (not as a coal miner) and certainly did not bring home the kind a pay miner does - but we had a roof over our head, food to eat, and medical care. Mom and Dad made sure if my brother and I were sick we went to the doctor. I have seen people (miners) living in a shabby run down house but have a brand new car and boat in the front yard!! People spend money on what is important to them!!

Comment: Sickofthewhining, I'm willing to bet that you're a white, republican, Christian; who watches FOX TV, and hangs on every word O'Rielly, Limbaugh, and Hannity has to say because you sound just like them.

Can we say: JUDGEMENTAL? You got all the answers don't you? Your words are cold and heartless. And, they show unbelievable IGNORANCE. BILLIONS have been squandered on this INVASION /OCCUPATION of Iraq! Our Country is not secure either. The billions have gone to huge corporations with no-bid contracts; corporations with fat-cat CEO's who are friends and buddies of our elected/selected goverment officials. Insurance companies are completely out of control!

Personally, I pay over $1,000 a MONTH for my own insurance! I still have a high deductible; and struggle to pay my 20% (whatever is left after insurance pays on a claim). And I am a healthy person! I can;t imagine how those who can't even afford ANY insurance are getting along? You're very HARSH there with your strawman assertions about people . You're very very ignorant. You need to grow up, and just maybe.....YOU NEED TO WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES !

If this country does not get some kind of univeral health care, the economy of this country will collapse. Period!
I come from the country who has the best health care system, France ranks first and the usa ranks 32nd... Just like a 3rd world country!! It is an outrage to let people suffer like this. Where is you humanity? do you have any left???

Appalachia is not the only area in this country that has a huge population with no medical or dental insurance. I live in Alaska and the lack of dental coverage especially creates a working population that somehow deals with chronic and acute pain and infection levels. The construction industry, service industry, fishing industry, etc has no health coverage for its employees. Thousands of people "just deal with the pain" over a long period of time. I have seen people with infection so bad, their whole face is swollen. They cannot afford even an emergency room visit for a temporary bandaid of antibiotics.
We keep hearing about how the middle class in this country is really feeling the squeeze of an economy in trouble. If the middle class is feeling the squeeze, the massive population at the base of the economic pyramid is feeling the sense of being SQUASHED. Dealing with DAILY pain but having to go to work anyway is a reaility for thousands. The Dental Society seems to feel that oral health is a privilege rather than a right of all.