[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 179 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 179


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 3, 2001

        Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the establishment of a 
   National Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services 
  provided by community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health 
                                centers.

Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers are 
        vital to many communities in the United States;
Whereas there are more than 1,029 such health centers serving nearly 12,000,000 
        people at 3,200 health delivery sites, located in all 50 States of the 
        United States, the


District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands;

Whereas such health centers have provided cost-effective, quality health care to 
        poor and medically underserved people in the United States, including 
        the working poor, the uninsured, and many high-risk and vulnerable 
        populations;
Whereas such health centers help reduce health disparities, meet escalating 
        health care needs, and provide a vital safety net, in the health care 
        delivery system of the United States;
Whereas such health centers provide care to 1 of every 9 uninsured Americans, 1 
        of every 8 low-income Americans, and 1 of every 10 rural Americans;
Whereas the people to whom such health centers provide care would otherwise lack 
        access to health care;
Whereas such health centers and other innovative programs in primary and 
        preventive care serve 600,000 homeless persons and more than 650,000 
        farm workers in the United States;
Whereas such health centers make health care responsive and cost-effective by 
        integrating the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach, 
        patient education, translation, and other enabling support services;
Whereas such health centers increase the use of preventive health services, 
        including immunizations, pap smears, mammograms, and glaucoma 
        screenings;
Whereas in communities served by such health centers, infant mortality rates 
        have decreased between 10 and 40 percent;
Whereas such health centers are built through community initiative;
Whereas Federal grants assist participating communities in finding partners and 
        recruiting doctors and other health professionals;
Whereas Federal grants constitute, on average, 28 percent of the annual budget 
        of such health centers, with the remainder provided by State and local 
        governments, medicare, medicaid, private contributions, private 
        insurance, and patient fees;
Whereas such health centers are community-oriented and patient-focused;
Whereas such health centers tailor their services to fit the special needs and 
        priorities of communities, working together with schools, businesses, 
        churches, community organizations, foundations, and State and local 
        governments;
Whereas such health centers contribute to the health and well-being of their 
        communities by keeping children healthy and in school and helping adults 
        remain healthy and productive;
Whereas such health centers encourage citizen participation and provide jobs for 
        50,000 community residents; and
Whereas the establishment of a National Community Health Center Week for the 
        week beginning August 19, 2001, would raise awareness of the health 
        services provided by such health centers: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) there should be established a National Community Health 
        Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by 
        community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health 
        centers; and
            (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
        the people of the United States and interested organizations to 
        observe such a week with appropriate programs and activities.

            Passed the House of Representatives August 2, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.