LA Distributes Admission Wristbands For Free Health Care Clinic
Video by Kalyn Norwood
They stood in line outside of Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena for hours. Thousands of Angelenos brought umbrellas and lounge chairs, many were there with their families and friends. The goal was to get a wristband, but not one that would grant them access to a big game or rock concert.
This coveted wristband would allow them to see a dentist.
While the Affordable Care Act has either provided or expanded health coverage for many Americans, it does not cover dental care for most adults. The ACA, also known as “Obamacare," considers dental insurance an “essential benefit” for children. However, the same is not true of adults. As a result, if you’re a low-income Angeleno with a toothache, your options for care can be very limited.
Click here to listen to Angelenos weigh in on the care they need.
The free dental care was provided by Care Harbor, a local non-profit that provides health care services to underserved communities. While the organization offered both vision and dental services, according to Erma Hall-Wood, a long-time volunteer, most people opt to see a dentist.
“The majority are asking for dental care because dental is so expensive and health insurance just don’t cover it,” said Hall-Wood.
“I’m really surprised this year to see this many people still in line. As a matter of fact, I’m not only surprised, I’m disappointed. I believe we have more this year than we did last year.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, about 108 million people living in the United States have no dental insurance. And even though Americans spend about $64 billion each year on oral health care, only 4% of that is covered by government programs.
This means more than just a few untreated cavities. Poor dental health has been linked to heart problems, diabetes and increased stroke risk. Furthermore, having weak teeth can make it more difficult for people to eat healthily. These problems typically affect the most vulnerable populations — the elderly, for instance, or low-income children.
