Broken System: Remote Area Medical Tackles Health Care Gap the U.S. (129 images)

Over 47 million Americans are uninsured and it's estimated that another 25 million are underinsured and unable to cover the gap between their medical bills and what their insurance covers.
There is a national debate in the U.S. about how to extend coverage to more Americans and make the health care system more affordable. Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical (RAM), says, "It's not really a crisis. It's the way of life in the U.S. Now it's come up to the...
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Over 47 million Americans are uninsured and it's estimated that another 25 million are underinsured and unable to cover the gap between their medical bills and what their insurance covers.
There is a national debate in the U.S. about how to extend coverage to more Americans and make the health care system more affordable. Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical (RAM), says, "It's not really a crisis. It's the way of life in the U.S. Now it's come up to the forefront."
The three-day makeshift field hospital set up in Wise, Virginia July 24th , 25th, and 26th, by RAM, and other organizations including The University of Virginia Medical and Dental Schools, The Virginia Department of Health, The Lions Club, and The Health Wagon, and over 1,700 volunteers provided free medical, dental and optical care to 2,715 people. Hundreds slept overnight in their cars to receive medical care. Just over half of those seeking care had no insurance at all and forty-seven percent could be considered underinsured. A mere 11 patients had dental insurance.
The scene in Wise isa microcosm of a national problem.
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