Free health care?

Approximately 3,400 people showed up during a recent four-day no-cost health clinic at Sacramento’s Cal Expo looking for help with vision, dental and other neglected health issues, a testament to the need for health care for the working poor and unemployed, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps (RAM) hosted the early April clinic. The Tennessee-based nonprofit relief organization works throughout the United States and beyond to provide medical screenings and treatment for health needs, including failing vision, dental problems and other conditions neglected by those who cannot afford treatment.

Many working poor and unemployed receive medical attention in emergencies, but cannot afford to stay up-to-date on non-emergency health needs, such as teeth cleaning and eye exams.

Despite the clinic’s success, hundreds of patients went without treatment due to a shortage of dentists, dental hygienists and eye doctors. RAM made a stop in Oakland the following week, where medical volunteers saw more than 1,000 patients per day during the four-day event.