[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2182]]
           INTRODUCING THE HEALTH CARE ACCESS IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly introduce the 
Health Care Access Improvement Act, legislation that will provide a 
$1,000 per month tax credit over 5 years for primary health care 
providers who are located or will establish practices in health 
professional shortage areas. These urban and rural underserved areas 
are designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration 
[HRSA]. In our Nation, there are 2,686 primary medical care, 960 dental 
and 518 mental health areas that are underserved, according to the 
latest list of designated sites issued by the Department of Health and 
Human Services. This list was published in the Friday, May 30, 1997 
edition of the Federal Register at page 29396. This information is also 
available via the Internet at http://www.bphc.hrsa.dhhs.gov. While we 
do not have a shortage of doctors in our country, Mr. Speaker, we do 
have a shortage of doctors who are either willing or can afford to 
locate in certain areas. I want to tkank my colleagues, Representatives 
Danny Davis of Illinois, Darlene Hooley, Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Mike 
McIntyre, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Ron Paul, Max Sandlin, and 
Edolphus Towns, who are original cosponsors of this bill and who 
recognize the need for Congress to provide an incentive for doctors to 
locate in these underserved areas.
  In short, this bill will:
  Provide current and future health care providers with a tax credit.--
Those few doctors who are currently established in underserved areas, 
as well as those who relocate to these areas, would receive a tax 
credit of $1,000 per month over 5 years. The Health Care Access 
Improvement Act would help current and future primary health care 
providers.
  Help doctors establish long-term relationships with the community.--
This tax credit provides a long-term solution by enabling doctors to 
establish health care practices in poor areas. Unlike Public Health 
Service doctors, who rotate through community facilities, private 
doctors invest their own time, energy and money to open a practice in a 
community. Such an investment means that these doctors become an 
integral part of the community, and highly unlikely to leave. The 
Health Care Access Improvement Act gives primary health care providers 
an incentive to stay in the community.
  Expand access to health care to more people.--This tax credit would 
be the most cost-effective way to establish health care practitioners 
in those areas where people do not have access to health care. More 
people would be able to go to their neighborhood doctors or dentist. 
The Health Care Access Improvement Act gives more urban and rural 
people choice in health care.
  Preventive health care has been proven to save lives and money. The 
very first bill that I cosponsored as a Member of Congress related to 
improving health care, and I have sponsored several health care 
seminars and forums in the 15th Congressional District of Michigan. 
Access to more doctors will go a long way toward ensuring that all of 
our constituents have high quality health care. The Health Care Access 
Improvement Act is but a small step in the direction of health care 
equality and improved access for all. While no cost has been determined 
for this bill as of today's date, I will ensure that it will meet the 
requirements of offsetting cuts to provide for its implementation.

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