Congressman treats patients at free clinic

[Louisiana1976]

SHREVEPORT — He's a real doctor and a congressman. That's how U.S. Rep. John Fleming introduced himself before treating patients for three hours at Shreveport's Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center, Louisiana's oldest clinic for the poor.

"I've been treating problems from 40,000 feet, so to speak, so it's nice to get down on the ground," the Minden Republican said, referring to health-care reform versus actual health care.

Octavia Hunter, 57, of Shreveport, told Fleming that she had a primary care doctor before she got cut off Medicaid.

After having chest pains for three days, lasting a full 24 hours one day, Hunter made her first visit to the clinic on Nov. 14. It also was the first visit for Fleming, who met executive director Janet Mentsane at a forum at a local hospital over the summer.

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http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/DG/20091128/NEWS01/911280318/-1/state

[me b zola]

1. So then Dr Fleming is backing HCR with the public option?

How could any physician know how horrible it is for most of us and not back a strong public option?

[WCGreen]

2. Locked into an ideology...

Can't vote against the party...

I can't see how any doctor can be against providing more accessible health care.