Help is on the way for residents without health insurance.
At the request of County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Coliseum Commissioner David Israel, the Coliseum Commission yesterday voted unanimously to waive rental fees for use of the Sports Arena by the Remote Area Medical “Reach Across America” program.
The action paves the way for thousands with no insurance to receive free medical services when RAM-LA holds the touring clinic at the arena from April 25 through May 4.
Last year, more than 14,000 people were treated when the Forum in Inglewood was transformed — for eight days — into a multiservice facility by RAM-LA. The total estimated value of care delivered was at least $2.8 million.
“The RAM-LA event provides an extraordinary display of volunteerism,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas told the Coliseum Commission, thanking members for their support of the program.
The Supervisor said that the clinic was moved to a more central location to reach the maximum number of people in the county who need the services. He predicted this year’s event will significantly exceed last year’s effort and called for volunteers to donate their services.
RAM was founded in 1885 by Stan Brock as a publically supported, all volunteer medical charity. At their own expense, the organization’s volunteers have served patients in remote areas of the United States and the world – under some of the worst conditions.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas may be contacted at http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov
