Free medical clinic at Riverside County Fairgrounds this weekend

Free health care procedures are being offered in Indio this weekend at the Riverside County Fairgrounds.

It’s an all-volunteer pop-up clinic hosted by California Care Force. Volunteers are expected to treat about a thousand people per day. No identification, insurance or co-pay is necessary for treatment.

Services are being offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You are required to pick up a wristband at the fairgrounds the day before receiving any services. Volunteers start handing out wristbands at 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Pam Congdon is the executive director for California Care Force. She tells KESQ/CBS Local 2 there is a great need for free healthcare services in the Coachella Valley.

“Even with Obamacare, people do have insurance with medical coverage, but dental and vision are not always covered and if they are it’s just such a high deductible,” Congdon said.

Which is the case for Maria Morales of Palm Desert.

“My insurance doesn’t cover dental, so this deal is so wonderful for me and thanks to all the doctors who are doing this special thing for everybody,” said Morales.

Last year volunteers told us they saw a decline in patients. Some pointed to President Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies. This year Congdon says they’ve stepped up their outreach.

“It’s a shame that the political climate is like it is, but really, truly we don’t ask for any ID. We don’t care. They can give us a fake name. We don’t care. We just want to help them get out of pain and on to a better life,” Congdon said.

For more information on volunteering or getting services click here.