Title
A RESOLUTION supporting the 2015 Seattle/King County Clinic event and encouraging broad community participation to make the event a success.
Body
WHEREAS, a sizeable number of people still struggle to receive and afford the most basic healthcare, even with healthcare reform. According to estimates by the Washington state Office of Financial Management, approximately 138,000 people were still uninsured in King County in 2014. While so many people are uninsured or underinsured, free clinics remain a necessary part of the healthcare safety net and a critical resource for underserved communities, and
WHEREAS, 3,386 patients received free medical, dental and vision care to at the Seattle/King County Clinic ("Clinic") on October 23-26, 2014, at Seattle Center, and
WHEREAS, more than 75 organizations across Washington state, led by Seattle Center, collaborated and contributed to the effort, and
WHEREAS, the 2014 Clinic was entirely staffed by 1,500 volunteers who provided care valued at almost $2.4 million over four days, and
WHEREAS, successful outreach efforts resulted in a patient population at the Clinic that was racially diverse, primarily low-income and represented over thirty-one language groups, and
WHEREAS, Clinic patients received services not covered by basic insurance plans, including diagnostic tests such as x-rays and mammograms, root canals, eyeglasses and lab tests, and
WHEREAS, over 98 percent of the patients served reported in an exit survey that they were satisfied with the quality of care and felt they were treated with respect by Clinic staff and volunteers, and
WHEREAS, in 2015 a Clinic will be held on October 22-25 at Key Arena, led by the Seattle Center and organized by over 80 local partners. The 2015 event aims to build upon the previous year's success by connecting more people to long-term healthcare and increasing the capacity of dental and vision care services at the...

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