Santa Maria Resident Finds Health Insurance Unaffordable: Free Medical Clinic Sheds Light on Health Disparities

Victoria Orihuela, a resident of Santa Maria, has found it increasingly difficult to afford health insurance. She explains that the cost of health insurance has become too high and she cannot afford it. However, Orihuela was fortunate enough to attend the free medical and dental clinic at the Santa Maria Seventh Day Adventist Church hosted by Life Hope Centers on Sunday. At the clinic, she received a tooth extraction that would have otherwise cost her hundreds of dollars.

Upon signing in, Orihuela was quickly seated in the dental chair. The annual free clinic has been held in various locations from Santa Maria to San Francisco since 2016 and offers dental, vision, and other medical services at no cost. Organizers estimate that the clinic has provided over $2.3 million in free medical services. Randall Goodman, an ophthalmologist and member of the Santa Maria Seventh Day Adventist Church, acknowledges that approximately 30% of Santa Maria residents do not have access to quality healthcare.

The services at the clinic are entirely volunteer-driven, with individuals like Edward Urbina generously giving up their weekends to help. Urbina states that those who go into their profession generally have a heart of compassion and this is an expression of their heartfelt compassion to serve. The clinic offered a range of services including tooth cleanings, haircuts, massages, and physiotherapy which attracted hundreds of attendees. Santa Maria resident Jaqueline Cruz expresses gratitude saying “We’re very grateful to both God and them who are working on a Sunday when they could be with their families providing a good service to us people who do not have accessible healthcare.”

Those interested in attending the next free medical clinic hosted by Life Hope Centers can find more information on their website