LOS ANGELES, Calif.–Wristbands will be distributed today for admission to a free clinic at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Exposition Park, where people without health insurance will be seen from Thursday through Oct. 23.
The four daylong CareNow/L.A. mobile clinics are intended to provide free dental, medical and vision health services to the uninsured and underserved.
The goal this year is to serve about 1,200 people each day. More than 800 doctors, dentists and other medical professionals are volunteering their time and effort, CareNow said.
The Sports Arena parking lot opens at 7 a.m., with wristband distribution to take place on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 1 p.m. Today is the only day wristbands will be distributed in advance of the clinics, which run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of the four days.
Anticipating high demand for this year’s event, CareNow will distribute the color-coded wristbands signifying a day and time to attend the clinic.
The wristband is the ticket for admission. Individuals will choose the clinic day they want and get a wristband for that particular day.
Wristbands are not removable without destroying them, so only the person who receives the wristband will be the one admitted.
For young children and those who have a caregiver, the wristband will be given to the caregiver or parent, who must accompany the patient to the clinic. Only the patient will receive services.
CareNow is a nonprofit organization formed by the local organizers and healthcare professionals who helped produce three previous events that provided free care to thousands of uninsured and underserved people in the region.
The organization will provide follow-up care for those who need it after the event ends.
Last year’s clinic, also at the Sports Arena, treated an estimated 6,000 people.
More than 14,000 people were treated two years ago when the Forum in Inglewood was transformed for eight days into a multi-service health facility.
The value of the care provided at that clinic was estimated to be $2.8 million.
