Houston doctors offer free care to uninsured
— reported by KHOU CBS Channel 11
A new program is getting under way in Houston that allows doctors to care for the uninsured for free.
According to the latest figures from 2004, more than 1.1 million people in Harris County alone do not have health insurance.”
For thousands of Houstonians without insurance, the emergency room is their only option for health care.
[snip]
To be eligible, patients must be referred from a federally-qualified health center and be at least 150 percent below the poverty level with no other access to health insurance.
So far, about 50 doctors are in the program.
Dr. Shelley Sekula Gibbs was one of the first to treat a patient.
“This is an organized way so the doctors don’t feel like they are doing it all on their own,” said Dr. Sekula Gibbs.
In the coming months, the goal is to add more doctors.
For more information on the Gateway to Care Program, just call 713-783-4616.
I only have one thing to say: Wow!
