Morris, a charismatic idealist who decided in high school that he wanted to be an ordained Methodist minister AND a physician, and spend his life ministering the health needs of the poor, puts one good idea after another into practice. They learn about such common public-health issues as diabetes and cancer detection, drug and alcohol abuse and prenatal health care. The Memphis Plan, a potential model for the nation. Two hundred physicians were asked to take on 10 patients each, without charge as a community service. It all works together.
Poor people get inexpensive medical care at a fraction the cost of insurance or private treatment.
The call for physicians to perform pro bono work is spread so widely across the community that none burn out. With government funding added and replicated nationally, this model could make a major contribution toward improving the nation's access to health care. Send him E-mail .