Kadee Ingram holds her son at a Tent City outside Seattle.
A medical clinic on wheels is driving free health services right up to those who need them most.
Seattle just unveiled a new RV bringing primary care and mental health services to homeless individuals, at no cost to them, according to KGW. Mayor Ed Murray called it one of many solutions to tackle the problem of homelessness.
"As we continue to address the city's homelessness crisis, we know there is not one answer, but many as we try to help those who are most vulnerable," the mayor said in a statement, according to Seattle Times. "This mobile medical van will enable us to deliver critical health care to those in need and serve as an entry point to long-term support services and permanent housing."
About one in five homeless people has a chronic substance use disorder, and a similar percentage experiences mental health issues, according to the U.S. Department of Health.
Comment: The homeless population has changed in recent years. The elderly and those with disabilities and chronic illnesses are now finding themselves on the streets and they face an uphill battle getting medical care. They may qualify for public insurance, but they often aren't able to get to a clinic or to contact a health provider. Others prioritize obtaining food and shelter or don't seek health care because of shame around being homeless or fear of how health care providers will treat them. Kudos to Seattle for doing something positive to assist these vulnerable individuals, in contrast to heartless cities where the homeless are treated despicably.