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Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary for Health and Human Services, said Sunday in a CNN interview that a public health insurance option is “not the essential element” in U.S. healthcare reform. While some worry that the reform is becoming unacceptably weak, conservative individuals are pleased with this development. However, what has not entered the mainstream debate is the ubiquitous need for affordable healthcare – a need that is not being met, except in places like Inglewood over the past few weeks. It isn’t the government nor the health insurance industry, but rather volunteers doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, who have been donating their services to the community free of charge at Inglewood’s Forum. Beginning last Tuesday, thousands of uninsured, underinsured, and unemployed people flocked there to get free health care, some even camping out overnight. The LA Times reported of extended city bus service to meet the demand. The event was organized by Remote Area Medical (RAM), a volunteer group dedicated to “pioneering no-cost health care.” RAM typically serves areas in developing nations like India and Guyana, and rural parts of the country, but volunteers found that although LA residents may be physically close to first-rate medical supplies, they remain unserved because of poor or no insurance.

Uprising intern Natalie Yahr spent Saturday at the Inglewood Forum and brings us this special report.

Find out more at www.ramusa.org.