With temperatures expected to reach into the 90’s later that day, the Butte County community of Chico, California greeted the morning of August 3 with anticipation. And so did the Butte County Health Care Coalition Education Fund (BCHCC).
California CareForce, a non-profit dedicated to providing free dental, medical, vision services and more, to residents all over California, was setting up for a two-day free clinic at the Butte County Silver Dollar Fairground. This would be their first free clinic in Chico, a college town with a current population of around 112,000 people.
The need was great. In November 2018, Chico found itself at ground zero as nearly 20,000 people sought refuge there after merciless wildfires burned the neighboring town of Paradise to the ground. The community opened its arms to refugees who camped out wherever they could, many in the local Walmart parking lot.
Chico and the surrounding area had already been facing a lack of sufficient housing and health access before the fires, but afterwards, everything got worse. And in many respects, the situation continues to decline.
This is especially evident when it comes to health care. Enloe Medical Center in Chico has struggled to keep up with the increased demand for health care from people who have been “cut adrift” from their families and community. The situation was exacerbated by the loss of 70 hospital employees who had to quit their jobs when they lost their homes in the fire.
Given the dire need, California CareForce pulled together a clinic for the area as quickly as possible.
As soon as they heard about the free clinic, the Butte County Health Care Coalition Education Fund (BCHCC), a 501c3, sprang into action. The coalition – the brainchild of Tom Reed, a vocational rehabilitation counselor and consultant – was founded in October 1991. For over two decades the group has focused on educating people about the problems with our current healthcare system and how Medicare for All would help.
Recognizing that the clinic offered a new opportunity for education and outreach, the coalition recruited volunteers – 10 for each day of the clinic – to speak with clinic visitors.
According to Forest Harlan, BCHCC President:
Our mission was to interact in a friendly way with folks waiting in line. We wanted to inform them that Medicare for All was one of the best options to fix our healthcare system. We weren’t trying to lead them, but rather educate. Several were aware of the issues. The clinic attracts people from every stratum, not just the poorest. People who have jobs and insurance still need services.
“We also made the point,” he added, “that in a future, better America we wouldn’t need free clinics like this.”
According to local resident and coalition volunteer Jeanne Ertle:
What struck me while talking with people waiting for care was how precarious our insurance system is. One young woman had fallen off insurance a couple of times, once because of a divorce, another time when she was laid off a job. Several seniors were suffering from the lack of dental care, which is not currently covered by Medicare. We need a healthcare system that covers all our healthcare needs and that’s always there for us when we need it, something like Medicare for All.
BCHCC Treasurer Normal Wilcox added:
People waiting in line shared they had not seen a dentist in 7, 8, 30 years because they can’t afford to. Others shared that the last time they went to the dentist it took years to pay off the bill with added interest, and now they had come to have rotten teeth pulled. Others related they had not been able to see well for months because their glasses had broken, and they did not have the financial means to pay for new ones. Patients included young, homeless people, victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, workers, families, the housed and the un-housed. They all want and need respect, dignity, and a healthcare system that guarantees affordable, comprehensive, health care.
In addition, the coalition very thoughtfully had made “Medicare for All” paper fans to distribute to the people waiting in long lines to receive care – relief from the heat!
Long-time single-payer supporter and Chico mayor, Randall Stone, attended the clinic and expressed support both for the clinic and for the work of the BCHCC.
In all, 1,247 patients were served and 600 volunteers were engaged at the Chico clinic. Medical and dental services valued at over $600,000 were provided without charge to people who had nowhere else to turn for essential care.
—Georgia Brewer
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