Michael Jordan opens second health clinic for people without insurance

Michael Jordan has opened a second health clinic in the town of Charlotte.

According to a report by People, the legendary basketball player opened the second health clinic in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday, October 19, a year after founding the first Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic.

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The new clinic is situated on Statesville Avenue in the North End of Charlotte and includes 12 patient exam rooms, an X-ray room, and space for physical therapy, and has a full-time clinical social worker on site.

The second clinic has opened to give relief to the first, which has been inundated with patients as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both centers are designed to provide medical care to underprivileged communities in Charlotte, including those without access to health insurance, providing them with physical, dental, and behavioral services.

Commenting on the new clinic in a recent Zoom call, the 57-year-old athlete stated:

"When we came together to mark the first clinic's opening last fall, no one could have predicted we would be facing a global pandemic just five months later."

"I'm so proud of the positive impact our clinic has had on the community so far, especially during Covid-19. Our second clinic will provide critical services to improve the health and lives of more Charlotteans."

Meanwhile, clinic worker Dr. Michael Hoben told the Charlotte Observer that the social and economic inequalities in the community still need to be addressed.

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Hoben stated: "One of the things we’ve learned over time is that a patient’s ability to access food, housing, clothing, transportation, has a huge impact on their ability to achieve high-quality health care.

"So if we’re only addressing the traditional medical needs, we’re missing probably half of what they really need to achieve their highest or best health."

Watch this video of a tearful Michael Jordan opening the first clinic this time last year:

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Speaking to The Observer, an uninsured and diabetic local named Diane Brodie told the paper how much of a benefit the clinic has been, stating: "I feel like my life was saved."

She added: "If I could meet [Jordan], I’m just so grateful. I just want him to know, I’m grateful and I thank him so much because he has helped so many people."