Do you watch Keith Olbermann?
If you do, you know he and others have targeted New Orleans and Little Rock as the next sites of the successful mass free medical clinics that have been staged by an organization that specializes in them.
It’s simple. Millions can’t afford health insurance and aren’t covered by Medicare or Medicaid. When Free Clinics set up shop, thousands start lining up in the middle of the night for inspection of problems small, large, vexing and profound.
Olbermann’s idea, of course, is to shame fence-sitters in Congress to do something about the shame of America, a lack of universal health care.
Olbermann’s viewers have contributed more than $800,000 so far, enough, he says, to hold two more clinics. But facilities and money to pay people to secure the facilities are needed.
Here’s where Little Rock can step up.
Judge Villines, you with the county surplus sufficient for two pay raises in three months for county employees who receive FREE health insurance. Mayor Hays, you with your nearby Verizon Arena and your plan to pay for your grandiose river museums and other luxuries from people’s electricity bills. You Mayor Stodola, who thinks saving snack stands in the River Market is critcal enough to turn them over to the cash-rich Advertising and Promotion Commission. LR A&P, you with a convention center and parking decks and lots of money. Dr. Kumpuris, you who knows about medical care and who loves to see hordes of people and national attention in our new downtown:
Step up, all of you. All we need is a building and some security guards. Then thousands of needy Arkansans can get some free medical attention. Does Little Rock have a heart?
What say you all? Contribute to the cause here.