Chronically Heal: A KSLA Original Documentary
-
by
jordan
KSLA ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY REVEALS CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. on KSLA News 12
Available now on KSLA News 12’s Roku and Amazon Fire TV channels
SHREVEPORT, LA — An estimated 15 percent of residents in Northwest Louisiana have no health insurance because they don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid and can’t afford private insurance. This means thousands of people in our community have virtually no access to doctors and medication as the costs of health care and prescriptions continue to rise.
In the 30-minute original documentary Chronically Heal, KSLA News 12 tells the stories of real patients in our community who have struggled to find the care they needed. From working people who have jobs that don’t offer health benefits to those who have become disabled and can no longer work, a variety of voices illustrate the health care problems in our area.
“KSLA News 12 remains dedicated to making our community a better and more connected place, and this project is another example of that commitment,” said KSLA Vice President and General Manager Joe Sciortino.
The film also explains the efforts of the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy, a Shreveport-based nonprofit organization, in helping to meet this need by providing free care to individuals with chronic conditions.
“We partnered with the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy more than a year ago because of their unique approach to expanding health care access in our area, and we are excited to share this documentary that tells their story,” said Sciortino.
“We are grateful to KSLA for all of their hard work and dedication to helping MLK Health share our story with the community. MLK Health couldn’t build healthier communities without our partners, volunteers, or patients who put in the hard work each day to make healthier choices,” said Janet Mentesane, Executive Director of MLK Health Center & Pharmacy.
Chronically Heal aired on March 14 and will broadcast again Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. on KSLA News 12.