U.S. Health Care Gets Boost From Charity

"60 Minutes": Remote Area Medical Finds It's Needed In America To Plug Health Insurance Gap

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on March 2, 2008. It was updated on July 9, 2008.

One of the decisive issues in the presidential campaign is likely to be health care. Some 47 million Americans have no health insurance, and that's just the start: millions more are underinsured, unable to pay their deductibles or get access to dental care.

Recently, 60 Minutes heard about an American relief organization that airdrops doctors and medicine into the jungles of the Amazon. It's called Remote Area Medical, or "RAM" for short.

As correspondent Scott Pelley first reported last March, Remote Area Medical sets up emergency clinics where the needs are greatest. But these days that's not the Amazon. This charity founded to help people who can't reach medical care finds itself throwing America a lifeline.

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In a matter of hours, Remote Area Medical set up its massive clinic, for a weekend, in an exhibit hall in Knoxville, Tenn. Tools for dentists were laid out by the yard, optometrists prepared to make hundreds of pairs of glasses, general medical doctors set up for whatever might come though the door. Nearly everything is donated, and everyone is a volunteer. The care is free. But no one could say how many patients might show up.

The first clue came a little before midnight, when Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical, opened the gate outside. The clinic wouldn't open for seven hours, but people in pain didn't want to chance being left out. State guardsmen came in for crowd control. They handed out what would become precious slips of paper - numbered tickets to board what amounted to a medical lifeboat.

It was 27 degrees. The young and the old would spend the night in their cars, running the engine for heat, but not much - not at $3 a gallon. At 5 a.m., Pelley took a walk through the parking lot.

"We got up at three o’clock this morning and we got here about four. We’ve been out where a little while it's cold," Margaret Walls, a hopeful patient from
Tennessee, told Pelley.

"Why did you come so early?" Pelley asked.

"'Cause we wanted to be seen," Walls replied.

Marty Tankersley came with his wife and his daughter, asleep behind the front seats. Tankersley says he drove some 200 miles to get to the clinic and slept in the parking lot for hours.

"Just to have this done?" Pelley asked.

"Yes, sir. I've been in some very excruciating pain," he replied.

Tankersley had an infected tooth that had been killing him for weeks. Most of the people who filled the lot heard about the clinic on the news or by word of mouth, and they came by the hundreds.

[Martha Z]

I was not aware that this kind of thing was going on in our own country. These further strengthens the need that this country has for Universal Healthcare.

[bluesky4me]

This is one of the problems that we think is everywhere else but here. Surprise..... Universal healthcare is not the answer, AFFORDABLE healthcare is!

[teresagardner7]

As executive director of the Health Wagon whose organization has spearheaded the planning of eight RAM expeditions in Southwest Virginia, words cannot express what this has meant to our community in regards to health care access. The event is Wise County is the largest health care outreach of its kind in the nation. We are currently planning our 9th expedition for July 25-27, 2008. This has become an annual event for our region as over 1300 dedicated volunteers came to our area to provide health care to those in need during our last event. Our 2007 event provided over 8,400 patient encounters and over $1.6 million dollars of free care during a three day period. The RAM organization is truly incredible and Stan Brock and team are true modern days heroes in our eyes as well as all the volunteers, civic organizations, hospitals, churches, businesses and individuals that give of their time, talent and resources to make this event possible.

[mhclgcallis]

After being part of the Mission Of Mercy to New Orleans and the Eastern Shore of Va, I saw first hand the need for medical and dental care in our country.
The lines of people needing help stretched on and on.
The thankful faces leaving were everywhere. When we were leaving NOLA, a lady grabbed me and hung on crying and thanking us for what we had done. She saw my vehicle was from Va., and wanted us to know how great she thought it was we came all that way. It was an experience I will never forget. During those trips I have met people that have touched my life forever. As a dental assistant it makes me feel good I helped but as a person it did me good to help. I saw first hand the people that are not getting the services they need. They may have health insurance,but can''t afford it and take care of their families. Of course in NOLA a lot of people there were being served by the dental school that was ruined by the storm, they had dentures ready to be delivered, gone. They were in treatment plans, students not there to complete them. Everyone can help. If not with your own hands with one hand, a pen, and a check to donate to these good causes to help. Bravo RAM, MOM, and all the organizations that are reaching out to people in need here and in other countries. Keep up the good work.

[volunteerann]

I am a Lions Club volunteer at the RAM in Wise County,VA. The folks we serve are in great need and genuinely grateful. And it is very well organized. I am proud to be a part of this service.

[fminton2]

As director of the Grundy,Va. expedition I want to thank Stan Brock and his volunteers.They provided the citizens of our county with $500,000.00 worth of free health care. We find that the and number of patients go up each year.In the 2007 expedition 734 patients were seen,and 2349 total services were rendered. The 2008 expedition will be October 4-5. Thank You Stan Brock for your dedication to our people. Frannie Minton.

[AlanNH]

Are we not ashamed?

[AlanNH]

Are we not ashamed?

[dcinfla-2009]

Stan Brock deserves the Nobel Prize, and so do all the medical professionals who volunteer their time. It''s a very sad commentary that it has come to this, but thank God for people like Brock and the RAM volunteers. Hopefully, stories like this will be a wake up call to the insurance company bean counters who deny health care to 47 million Americans while they count their profits.

[mgoettsch195]

I am sickened by this report. This is the United States of America!! When do we STOP spending billions in Iraq and start spending some of that money HERE taking care of our own citizens?

[halg19]

It is pathetic but true America is becoming or already is a third world country. This news article about RAM proves it. Does the medical and insurance lobby have the guts to allow universal healthcare?

[steveknote]

After watching the reporting of Mr. Pelley concerning RAM, I am both ashamed and proud. I find myself ashamed to live comfortably in a country where this exists with all of the abilities and measures to solve this crisis. In counterpoint, I feel pride in living in a country with individuals like Stan Brock, the founder of RAM. This is the type of individual that should be nominated for every humanitarian award that is available! Thank you, Mr. Brock...and hopefully one day the politicians will understand that we cannot properly promote our quality of life if that quality does not properly exist in our own land!!

[carolmfisher]

I am watching this just now, and this is the first time I''ve been so moved to get up and actually send off a comment. Every presidential candidate, every politician, every goverment official, every employer should be forced to watch this story. So many people are just so BLIND about the health care situation that so many of us are in. Regular middle class hard working families, with at least two incomes are finding health care way out of our reach! Something must change!

[odonart]

I am sure that a lot of people like myself were inspired by this story to want to donate to RAM. It would have
helped if CBS had given information for that.

[moredock-2009]

More powerful than anything yet said, or done, by any three of the leading contenders for president. All my charitable giving now goes to RAM. Talk about "boots on the ground." This is the war we should be fighting...and winning.

[ussher151]

I have just joined the ranks of the underinsured as a result of Kodak moving all of its retirees to Medicare Advantage Plans with high premiums. Many doctors will not accept Medicare Advantage Plans. Seriously ill retirees and long term disability people can not get the care they need with this program.

[katepa]

This should not happen in America. I have always felt that a bipartisan effort needs to bre made to create health care for all. Check out RAM''s site...donations are accepted through paypal or credit card. We donated....

[flytie1013]

We can spend lots of money on congress trying to decide if Roger Clemens was taking steroids but we have people in this country with no health insurance waiting in lines for hours. We have children going to school hungry and we have elderly that can either eat this week or pay for their medications. That''s not important, what is really important is did Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds take steroids! What''s wrong with our elected officials? We are the richest country in the world and all our elected officials can worry about is if some millionaire athletes ever took steroids. It''s a game people, a game! Who really cares!

[esposch]

What an inspiring story and commentary. When listening to that poor woman who couldn''t afford to visit an eye doctor not to mention get new glasses, it was a "no-brainer" for my family to make a donation to this wonderful effort. I hope others will do the same.

[garlicguy]

Ummm, let''s ponder this...to have a good life and to be happy, you have to have some type of health coverage...that''s indisputable.

Imagine then, that The Constitution guarantees "the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happines." Well, without having any health insurance or being under insured, are Americans being denied their constitutional rights?

...ummm!

[hotbluestar]

I saw your show on the medical gig. Wow! That is so sad that lady could not afford an $8 pap smear test and that man....oh that poor man. How in the world did he ever afford the gas to drive like 200 miles each way just to get a tooth fixed. Do you realize how expensive snacks are at the gas station. I feel so bad for him. I bet the cost of going to and from and expensed in between were $300 plus dollars. If you tell me were the guy is from I would be willing to make long distance calls to the area to find the local free clinic for him (closest one) and also all the local dentist to try and find one that can help or maybe better yet he could call them himself on his cell phone? I do hope he made it home in time to get to his lazy chair and watch his favorite movie on one the premium cable channels. Maybe someday I will get cable, but you know antennas are "free" and that still works for me. We don''t eat out, we don''t do cells, we buy at K-Mart, we don''t do cable. It all starts there! Get a life 60 minutes, that was so lame! National health care does not work! I was talking to a democrat nurse the other day that said some things are just not covered in Canada at all. So what I want to know is when do we start dying because of your agenda CBS and national health care?

[makangel234]

Ask the American People, how many of them would send money or rather have tax money deverted to your traveling medical help for people to have basic help with health concerns such as glasses, mammograms etc....I do not want my tax money to go to Purchase china for the white house, or for elections, or aid for other countries when the american
people are starving, have no home, no medical care or dental care. When are the american people going to get their priorities straight and stand up and say NOMORE!

[traks614]

Scott Pelley''s story was very well done and it showed what problems we still have her in the is great country of ours. But it also showed that the American sprit is still alive with the large amount of volunteers Brock has helping RAM and generosity of the people giving to keep the dream alive.
God Speed RAM.
R/ Tracy Didas

[c123faith]

My husband & I watched your segment 3/2 on the RAM segment. WE were moved to tears. WE are in our 70s & are fortunately able to afford very good insurance supplement in addition toour Medicare. It is so sad their organization is needed at all. WE will be sending a donation. We try to give to a charity every month & March it is RAM. Faith & Arthur Cornell, Bridgeville, PA

[wiccan53]

My husband was watching this excerpt of 60 Minutes when he asked me to look up RAM on the internet -- I was reading the article online while Mr. Pelley was reporting it. The comment from the online article that really bothered me was the comment made by Dr. Isaacs, "It%u2019s the working poor, middle of their lives, most with families, most not substance abusers and employed without adequate insurance." This describes far too many honest, hardworking citizens in the US today, and while I realize it''s too easy to blame whatever current regime is in the White House at any given time I do feel the current ''regime'' is more than just nominally responsible. I want to thank Mr. Brock for his overwhelming contribution to the betterment of peoples'' lives right here in our own backyard.

[c4hange2]

We have allowed the insurance companies and their highly paid executives and boards; certain parts of the medical establishment; the lobbyists, and the politicians they control to convince us that health care is a negotiable commodity. We hear that no one really goes uncared for or dies early because ER''s and free clinics exist. That it is simply poor planning on the part of lazy people if they can''t afford health insurance or care. RAM fills a necessary niche. It should be embarrassing to every candidate running and every politician serving that RAM needs to exist.

[katd1honeyhh]

Interesting juxtaposition - didn''t view the political portion, but I sure hope the technology and charitable acts are brought to the attention of the CANDIDATES - FAT CHANCE

[cgagan-2009]

I am so ashamed of our leaders who receive "free" healthcare for themselves and their families, but provide nothing for those whom they serve-the American people.
How did we fall so far, so fast?

[joeg831]

I went right to my computer and made a $200 donation which my employer will match.
This is the real power of your show.

[htinzoar]

Finally - people helping real people here in America. Most of us are only a job or a paycheck away from having no health insurance at all. Here in Ohio, that could happen to any of us today or tomorrow.

Bravo - and thank you - to all the volunteers who help people and don''t base it on money, color or creed - only need. That''s what America should be - and while I still have my job, I will be donating and offering to volunteer.

[hollargirl]

Please give us an address so we can send this man some money to help those who have no insurance.

[wenow]

I just watched Pelley''s report and am at once ashamed and hopeful.
I am Ashamed that my country will not do what is needed to meet the basic medical needs of millions simply because there is not the political will to stand up to entrenched interests.
I am hopeful because there are people like Mr. Brock and his volunteers and that there might be a chance in this election to move much closer to what is needed.
Vote. Vote for those people who were turned away at that gate. Vote for hope, for change, for any other reason you can think of.
We are who we have been waitning for.

[mdb312]

This was one of the saddest reports I have seen on 60 minutes...where are the warren buffet''s, steve jobs, bill gates, athletes etc...look what he did with $250K

[nancyupnorth]

Rarely have I experienced such a range of emotion over a news story--sorrow for the suffering of the people; gratitude for the volunteers who do this work; rage at our government because we''re the only wealthy nation in the world that just can''t seem to get it right; and a twinge of guilt because I have the good fortune to be fairly well insured. I hope and pray that every person who saw this report will donate to this cause, that our "leaders" will finally put politics aside to find a solution to our health care crisis, and that the volunteers in this program will be richly blessed for their efforts.

[katpages]

I had my credit card ready to donate to the Medical Clinic featured tonight (March 2, 2008). I thought that if I logged on to the 60 Minutes website, I would get a link, but I could hardly find the story. I will never watch you again unless by accident. Andy Rooney (particularly) sucked tonight, proving he is a conservative Republican against Hilary. I am not a Hilary proponent, but am a Democrat. You should be very ashamed of such ***.

[jskwill]

Along with many others who just saw this inspiring yet frightening story about our own US health care crisis, I will be donating to RAM. This is the real kind of journalism that exposes truths that cannot be explained away by politicians and powerful groups who continue to profit from our current sad health care system. My conservative friends who missed this program will still believe that our system is just fine - of course they are all covered by good insurance at work or have enough assets so they feel insulated from financial health care concerns. Thank you CBS for airing this story and God bless you RAM, Stan Brock, and all the wonderful volunteers!!!!!

[louisianarn]

I was in tears watching this. I am very aware of these problems. At least here in Louisiana we have what used to be called the Charity healthcare system and we do have clinics for people and the dental school provides free care but not everything that is needed . The waiting list for the clinics and the Denatal school is very long and it takes a long time to have the patients seen. Follow up is even harder.

This is why I am in favor of a universal health care system that is one payor. There is no reason whatsoever for insurance executives to get rich while the American people go without. The insurance companies cherry pick who they will cover and the people who need it most are left without insurance. Dental insurance is inadeqaute for everyone.

That is why I support Senator Hillary Clinton for president

[wenow]

I just watched Pelley''s report and am at once ashamed and hopeful.
I am Ashamed that my country will not do what is needed to meet the basic medical needs of millions simply because there is not the political will to stand up to entrenched interests.
I am hopeful because there are people like Mr. Brock and his volunteers and that there might be a chance in this election to move much closer to what is needed.
Vote. Vote for those people who were turned away at that gate. Vote for hope, for change, for any other reason you can think of.
We are who we have been waiting for.

[jamesemorse]

McCain said we have the best health care in the world. True, if you are in the Senate or can afford it! The lack of medical care is a disgrace for our country. What a wonderful organization RAM is. I made a donation and I hope others will. Thanks. Maybe our next administration and congress will provide Americans a little of what they already get!

[hotbluestar]

I saw your show on the medical gig. Wow! That is so sad that lady could not afford an $8 pap smear test and that man....oh that poor man. How in the world did he ever afford the gas to drive like 200 miles each way just to get a tooth fixed. Do you realize how expensive snacks are at the gas station. I feel so bad for him. I bet the cost of going to and from and expensed in between were $300 plus dollars. If you tell me were the guy is from I would be willing to make long distance calls to the area to find the local free clinic for him (closest one) and also all the local dentist to try and find one that can help or maybe better yet he could call them himself on his cell phone? I do hope he made it home in time to get to his lazy chair and watch his favorite movie on one the premium cable channels. Maybe someday I will get cable, but you know antennas are "free" and that still works for me. We don''t eat out, we don''t do cells, we buy at K-Mart, we don''t do cable. It all starts there! I was talking to a democrat nurse the other day that said some things are just not covered in Canada at all. Wow!

[carolmfisher]

I second everything that makangel234 just said. We just got the bill for my daughter''s trip to the hospital in an ambulance--$5000! What are we supposed to do with that!

[sharonsikes-2009]

I''m still teary after watching Mr. Pelley and the story about RAM. For years, I have worked for progressive candidates, hoping that one real change would be a national health care system. I have never truly understood just how desperately our country needs it until now. My eyes, though still blurred by tears, are fully open for the first time. Thank you.

[park704]

Thank you for opening my eyes to the plight of the under/uninsured.

[mdb312]

where can we make a donation........

[tenshibyoin3]

I am disheartened to see this going on in America .I have voluntered for the Smile Train and thought by donating to it I felt proud of myself . I am retired but if I cam help the people who are providing the help to these unfortunate people please point out those , to whom I must contact.Thank you--- Neil O''Brien

[sharri411]

That show really touch me. I am so lucky I am 67years old and get melcare as well as medcaid because I recieved a little over 600.00 a month ,I am going to send what i can each month. What I want to know why isnt big co. doing anything to help? It is so sad that our goverment has fail the peoples of this country so bad and they sit up there just getting richer,and movie stars make millons for some lousy picture. God Help the U.S.A.

[vol96]

Well said hotbluestar. I''m not surprised so many showed up for FREE MEDICAL DENTAL VISION. I''m sure there are many that are truely in need of these services. But to use this turnout to gauge the need for universal healthcare is a quite a leap IMHO and typical CBS pandering.

[nancyupnorth]

Rarely have I experienced such a range of emotion over a news story--sorrow for the suffering of the people; gratitude for the volunteers who do this work; rage at our government because we''re the only wealthy nation in the world that just can''t seem to get it right; and a twinge of guilt because I have the good fortune to be fairly well insured. I hope and pray that every person who saw this report will donate to this cause, that our "leaders" will finally put politics aside to find a solution to our health care crisis, and that the volunteers in this program will be richly blessed for their efforts.

[mdb312]

cbs should have posted at end of story where u can donate...to ..how about it CBS...

[lolalives]

Yes, please give us an address where we can contribute!!! Stan bROCKS!!!! What a great report... as one of the many Canadians who wonders what the heck happened to America, this restores possibilities.