With all the talk about health care and debate over President Barack Obama’s plan, here in Selma people have taken action.

For a year now, the underserved in medical care have received attention through the Doc in the Bus.

The Family Doc in the Bus was dedicated Aug. 10, 2008, and had its first clinic day Sept. 12.

Medical care for the poor and working who have no insurance did not pop up overnight. It was the vision of UAB Selma Family Medicine’s Dr. Monica Newton. She started mounting forces for the effort through the Dallas County Health Department, the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency and the United Way. Seed money came from the Alabama Department of Public Health.

With help from the Department of Emergency Preparedness, Life Point Foundation, the Weaver Parrish Trust Fund and Raceway, the medical clinic on wheels became a reality.

Now, the program will expand to once a week at the Edmunite Mission at 1432 Broad St.

This program is unlike any in our region. Congratulations to all who had the vision and carried it out so more people might have access to health care.