VOA标准英语2010年-Washington, DC Free Health Clinic Draw

Washington DC residents line up to get access to a rare free health clinic which offers a wide range of treatment options

Earlier this year, President Obama signed into law a long-awaited reform of health care in America. It's designed to provide medical insurance to tens of millions of Americans who can't afford it. But the US is still far from having universal health care, and even this reform is facing legal challenges.

At this Washington D.C. clinic, long line forms even before the doors open.

Jacqueline Nelson and her husband Cleveland wait patiently. Finally, they're given a warm welcome and paperwork to fill out.

Cleveland has health insurance because he served in the U.S. Marines. But Jacqueline has no coverage¹ even though she has a job at a nursery school. Despite the risk, she has not bought insurance, because of it's so expensive.

 

"It's scary," she said.  "Just try to eat right and do right, and try to be your own doctor until you see you can't do it yourself."

But it hasn't worked. She's been going to a doctor who says she may need thyroid surgery, which can cost thousands of dollars.  So came to this clinic to get a second opinion, for free.

For one day, this convention center is the largest doctor's office in the country.

Nearly 2,000 people are offered a range of treatments, short of surgery.  The clinic is funded by private donations, and the doctors and non-medical staff are working without pay.

"This shows the best and worst of America, all in one location. The best is the thousand volunteers that are coming here.  And the heartache is those patients that have to come to a convention center to get the health care that they need," said Nicole Lamoureux who heads the National Association of Free Clinics.

Benito Diaz hasn't been to a doctor in four years despite many ailments².

"First of all I have this stomach pain that's been recurring³ since the beginning of the year or last year. This pain in my wrist, I don't know if it's carpal tunnel or what. And then I have this growth here on my chest," said Diaz.

To him, the clinic is a blessing⁴.

"I mean, it's a godsend, you can say," added Diaz.

He hopes he will qualify for government subsidized insurance under the health reform law. 

"At the same time, you have to worry what happens when [the election in] November  comes, if the reactionary⁵ forces get the upper hand, and we're going to be back to square one, or less than that," said Diaz.

If the Republicans win in November's mid-term elections, patients fear it could endanger the reform that became law last March.

And in addition to these protests against the reform, twenty states are mounting a legal challenge.

So at least for the time being, free clinics like this one will remain the closest thing America has to universal health care.

 

1 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

2 ailments   

疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His ailments include a mild heart attack and arthritis. 他患有轻度心脏病和关节炎。
• He hospitalizes patients for minor ailments. 他把只有小病的患者也送进医院。

3 recurring   

adj.往复的，再次发生的

参考例句：

• This kind of problem is recurring often. 这类问题经常发生。
• For our own country, it has been a time for recurring trial. 就我们国家而言，它经过了一个反复考验的时期。

4 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

5 reactionary   

n.反动者，反动主义者；adj.反动的，反动主义的，反对改革的

参考例句：

• They forced thousands of peasants into their reactionary armies.他们迫使成千上万的农民参加他们的反动军队。
• The reactionary ruling clique was torn by internal strife.反动统治集团内部勾心斗角，四分五裂。