Remote Area Medical, Featured on 60 Minutes, Reveals the Growing Health Care Crisis in America

Volunteer Doctors Treat Hundreds of Patients - for Free - but Are Forced to Turn Hundreds Away as Well

Remote Area Medical (often abbreviated as RAM) operated for awhile with the persistent support of founder Stan Brock until the television show, 60 Minutes, aired a broadcast about the organization back in March of 2008. Recently, there was an update and the news wasn't great. Why? Because Remote Area Medical, an organization which serves those who can't afford the rising medical costs in this country, is seeing more and more people who are struggling to get basic medical care, the kind of care they once used to take for granted. They can't take it for granted any more. The need isn't going away or decreasing. It is only getting worse - if the recent 60 Minutes show is any indication of the health crisis in America.

Wherever RAM doctors and other volunteers set up their temporary mobile clinics -from exhibition halls to other areas - hundreds of people arrive hours ahead of time, desperate for medical help. Sometimes their children sleep in the back seat of their cars. If the weather is cold, they try to ration the amount of gas they use, trying not to turn on their cars or use the car's heater, not unless absolutely necessary.

People may have to go to great lengths to get seen by a doctor from RAM

The organization not only reaches out to the uninsured, the estimated 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. Volunteer doctors, nurses, eye doctors and others also struggle to help Americans who don't have enough insurance, can't afford their deductibles or have put off getting care due to other financial emergencies. What the recent 60 Minutes show pointed out was that the number of these people are increasing, alarmingly so. In an election year, this could turn out to the issue of the year. One has to hope it doesn't continue to be the leading issue for years to come. If RAM can't come to people in their home state (and they may not, depending on medical laws) the people go to RAM.

Some basic information about RAM Medical and Stan Brock