[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF MEDIGUARD PROGRAM TENNESSEANS FOR TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the fine men 
and women who participate in Mediguard/Guardcare, a unique health care 
delivery program provided by the Tennessee National Guard to provide 
critically needed health care to underserved populations in 39 counties 
across the State of Tennessee.
  The idea for Tennessee's Mediguard Program began when former 
Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter saw the efficient system for health 
care delivery administered by National Guard troops in South America. 
Along with Representative John Tanner, former Representative and now-
Governor Don Sundquist and many State legislators and other members of 
the Tennessee National Guard, I was pleased to help develop the 
framework for a program called Mediguard, later named Guardcare. 
Approximately 3 years ago, a pilot program was established under the 
auspices of the NGB in 10 States with the objectives of relieving 
overburdened State public health facilities and boosting low physician-
to-patient rations in 39 Tennessee counties seriously deficient in 
receiving basic health care services. Many factors were used to 
identify the target counties, and the study was recently repeated to 
assure that current needs are still being appropriately addressed.
  Supplies for Guardcare exercises are allocated from Guard pilot funds 
and equipment needs have been met through loans from Guard units and 
leasing. As of last year, the program operates on Federal funding--so 
we tell our communities they can see their tax dollars at work right at 
home. The best part of the program, in my opinion, is that we are able 
to provide these much-needed health care services to people who are 
desperately in need of them at absolutely no cost to the participating 
individual. The TN Guardcare Program is administered as a component of 
a special projects unit aligned under the State Adjutant General 
Command. The functions and purposes of Guardcare in Tennessee are 
carried out through two teams: the Guardcare administrative team and a 
mobile health team. The mobile health teams used in Guardcare exercises 
changes from exercise to exercise. These teams are comprised of Army-
Air physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, 
dentists, lab specialists, and medical support personnel on split drill 
from their base units. Mobile health teams have been augmented by a 
wealth of local community health care personnel and other community 
volunteers. Without these volunteers from the host communities. 
Guardcare's success would have been seriously jeopardized.
  Prior to the start of each program year, a training calendar is 
planned which focuses on 7 to 8 target communities from the 39 
medically underserved communities. Counties must request Guardcare, and 
there is currently a 2-year waiting list.
  It is my pleasure to salute the Tennessee Guardcare Program and the 
men and women who have made it an outstanding success over the past 3 
years. Through their efforts, and through the support of many 
communities across the State, Guardcare has been able to demonstrate 
volunteerism at its finest; truly, Tennesseans for Tennessee.

                          ____________________