Washington — At Palmetto Health Council’s seven clinics for the underprivileged in metro Atlanta, the number of patients seen by doctors has swelled by more than 1,200 in the last three months alone because of the recession and high unemployment.
Some patients have to wait four weeks to see a doctor at the company’s south Fulton County clinic.
“We’re now seeing people who previously had insurance through their company who have lost their jobs,” Palmetto CEO Jon Wollenzien said. “Others are still employed, but their employers have cut back on their (contributions) so much that (individuals) can’t afford their premiums or co-pays.”
