[Occupymendocino] Doctor Treats Poor People Out of His Car

[Richard Karch]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/28/1360753/-Mississipi-doctor-treats-poor-people-out-of-his-car-state-trying-to-put-him-out-of-business?detail=email


Mississipi doctor treats poor people out of his car, state trying to put him out of business
byJen HaydenFollow
  91 Comments / 91 New

Dr. Carrol Frazier Landrum standing next his car, waiting to treat residents of Edwards, Mississippi
Dr. Carrol Frazier Landrum is an 88-year-old doctor who's been practicing for 55 years in Mississippi. He's known in the Edwards, Mississippi community for treating anyone who needs help, going so far as to drive to patient's houses, meeting them anywhere they are able, and for the last two years he's been treating some patients out of his car. He believes it is his duty:
“I’ve always had a heart for the poor,” Landrum told The Washington Post this week, struggling to hold back tears. “I grew up poor, and when the doctor would come to us, and he was happy to see us, I pictured myself doing that some day. I try not to ever turn people away — money or no money – because that’s where the need is.”
Ever since the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure found out he was treating people out of his car, Dr. Landrum has been under investigation:
At a recent hearing, Landrum said, he was labeled “incompetent” by the board. He said the charge is a catchall, one designed to avoid citing a specific occupational violation, and he maintains he’s done nothing wrong. He said he doesn’t recruit patients and only responds to those who have nowhere else to turn.
Despite the pressure to surrender his license, he's not going down without a fight:
"I'm not the kind of person to give up very easily, especially if I know I'm right," Landrum said. "I want to continue helping these people who need me, and I plan to fight this. I'm going to tell them I don't intend to resign."
For what it's worth, Mississippi has the largest percentage of poor and uninsured people in the country. The average income in Edwards, Mississippi is jaw-dropping:
The 2010 census showed that the income per person in Edwards is just $12,308 a year.
The most he charges his patients is $45 a visit. If his patients cannot afford the fee, he will often waive it completely or tell them to pay him later.

The community stands behind Dr. Landrum:
"He's saved a lot of people, you know what I'm saying," says Cornelius Moriley.
Karen Holt says, "I love that he's here. He may not cure cancer, but he's cured a lot of people of basic things."

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