The Invisible Patients
In Los Angeles, the non-profit organization Care Harbor runs a clinic that provides free dental, vision, women's and general health care. Over three days, hundreds of doctors, dentists, optometrists and nurses will volunteer their time and expertise to treat approximately 3,000 patients.
Some patients at Care Harbor work low-wage jobs that don’t offer health insurance. A small number of patients may have health insurance through an employer, but it doesn’t cover dental or vision care. Still others are undocumented immigrants who, due to their immigration status, are ineligible for Medicaid.
Despite the passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans still don’t have health insurance. The U.S. Census Bureau reported over 27 million people were living without health insurance in 2018. Two-thirds of Americans still get their health insurance through an employer. Cost is the main reason people don’t purchase private health insurance.
Care Harbor has held 11 clinics since 2010, and the need for healthcare has not diminished in that time. Patients still line up well before dawn for medical care. Many patients spend several hours at the clinic, undergoing medical exams and treatment, eating lunch, which is provided, and leaving with follow-up appointments or information on where to get healthcare in Los Angeles until the next Care Harbor clinic.