April 27 through May third is National Cover the Uninsured Week, and free health clinics around the country are reminding people there is help out there.
"I have an infection, and they give me medicine and everything," says Elvic Ruez. Ruez is one of the hundreds of thousands of uninsured Oklahomans.
Rising costs are making even a simple checkup impossible for many in the nation, and Oklahoma is no exception.
"We have that much money to pay the doctor, and the medicine they give is too expensive," says Ruez.
Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation for those uninsured, so for Ruez and his mother, standing in line for more than six hours for a free checkup is the only option.
"If you get here too late you won't get to see the doctor," says Ruez.
The Integris Baptist Community Clinic is the largest free, all-volunteer clinic in the state and an invaluable resource for more than half a million Oklahomans without health insurance.
"We see people for almost everything: the basic cuts and wounds to the people that have cancer," says Baptist Community Clinic Coordinator Lisa Reed.
It's not just for the uninsured but the under-insured as well.
"The deductible may be too high for them to use," says Reed. "They may be getting only ten dollars an hour and can't afford to use the insurance. We cover those people, too."
Although the clinic is open every second, third and fourth Monday of the month, this time of year is when clinics around the country remind the nation about the problem and let the uninsured know there is help.
"It seems like everything for people who can't afford their monthly medication to just know there's somebody out there who cares," says Reed.
"It's a good place," says Ruez. "I like it. Lots of people are happy with it."
In 2007, the clinic saw more than 3,000 patients and filled more than 14,000 prescriptions. Officials say for 2008, they're seeing a pretty steady influx of people. The solution they're hoping for is to have legislation created to make it easier for people to get insurance so that free clinics will become unnecessary.
In 1993, the clinic started out with an average of 40 people a day. It's now up to more than 120 a day.
Additional Information:
Baptist Community Clinic
Olivet Baptist Church, 1201 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Operating three nights a month: Second, third and fourth Monday
