This article was poste on wkyc.com by Monica Robins – 7/25/2009.
CLEVELAND — It’s probably the first time hundreds of people have ever been lined up outside the Walker Building at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning. Many Clevelanders took advantage of free health care at the first ever Medworks event.
Some of the patients who showed up had not seen a doctor in years. Quite a few even had dangerously high blood pressure, but had no idea.
Senator Sherrod Brown helped register patients and got a firsthand look at what’s wrong with the nation’s health care system.
“This speaks to the whole issue that the government’s got to do better working with the medical community and long-term answers to this,” Brown said.
The turnout was so great, extra exam rooms had to be set up in the gymnasium.
Outside, the mobile med one bus took care of dermatology patients. The state benefits bus signed up those qualified for Medicaid, and another bus shuttled patients down the street to the Case Dental School where dentists spent the taking care of dental needs.
Surprisingly, some people skipped appointments, but they’ll be quickly filled by more grateful patients.
Related article: Click here for more on the Medworks event.
If you couldn’t attend Medworks, MetroHealth Medical Center is offering free mammograms next weekend. You’ll find information on the “Breast Amigas” event below.
Free Mammograms
* Saturday August 1
* 10am to 2pm
* La Sagrada Familia Church
* 7719 Detroit Ave. Cleveland
© 2009 WKYC-TV
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