Access through Altruism: A Community-based Free Outpatient Surgery Program for the Working Poor in the United States

Abstract

Despite healthcare reform, a large population in the United States is without healthcare coverage. The Surgery for People in Need (SPIN) program offers free outpatient surgical procedures to working, uninsured adults. Taking nearly one year to construct, the program has been operational for three years and has performed 22 procedures. Free surgery programs can improve healthcare access by providing interventions to patients who otherwise have no outlet for surgical care.

Keywords

Altruism Outpatient surgery Medical volunteers Healthcare access Free clinic

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