[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE WELL CHILD OUTREACH PROGRAM OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
first health outreach programs in the State of Maryland to deal with 
immunizing children. The Well Child Outreach Program in St. Mary's 
County is a partnership between private practitioners and the St. 
Mary's County Health Department that was created to reduce the 
fragmented care of children in southern Maryland. In addition to 
providing medical care to uninsured and underinsured children, the 
program coordinates with the Department of Social Services, St. Mary's 
County public schools, WIC and Head Start in order to immunize as many 
children as possible throughout the county.
  In its 9 years in existence, child immunization rates have improved, 
98 percent of children entering county schools have complied with the 
entry physicals and 90 percent of the clients have kept their 
appointments. The State of Maryland supports State and local health 
departments throughout the State that follow the well child outreach 
model. I applaud the St. Mary's County Health Department and the 
physicians who began the Well Child Outreach Program.

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