10News asked two agencies that provide free health services what they expect to see come January 1st, and we got two different perspectives.
The new health care law is raising plenty of questions, not only about who will buy into the government plans, but also who with current insurance might get dropped from their coverage.
10News asked two agencies that provide free health services what they expect to see come January 1st, and we got two very different perspectives.
Dr. Tom Kim's Free Medical Clinic serves working people without insurance. Dr. Kim says he expects his clinic to get busier after the Affordable Care exchanges have kicked into full effect.
"Now I will have more patients who lost a job or previous insurance," explained Dr. Kim.
He says some people are losing their insurance because their plan doesn't meet the new law's requirements.
Another free health care provider in East Tennessee, Remote Area Medical, also helps people who can't afford insurance.
Founder Stan Brock says there's a trend at every clinic.
"It's the same everywhere we go-- the hands will go up for the dentist, the hands will go up for the eye doctor, we have to actually coerce them to seeing a medical doctor."
Brock says most of RAM's patients are not medical. The bulk of their services are devoted to dental and eye care.
"I have not seen where it deals with those two issues in the Affordable Care Act, unless it's some premium add-on that you pay for. Unless it does, we're going to be seeing the same number of patients every year from now until whenever," he said.
Both clinics are watching the changes with anticipation and different expectations.
Dr. Kim said he supports the goals of the Affordable Care Act.
Mr. Brock said, in a political context, he does not comment on the health care law.
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