[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1706-E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO MONFORT CHILDREN'S CLINIC

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, during the most recent 
district work period, the Monfort Children's Clinic opened its doors 
once again to my staff to see the great on-going work the clinic is 
providing the poor children of Greeley.
  As you know from your visit to the center earlier this year, the 
Monfort Children's Clinic is a 15,000 square foot facility providing a 
variety of pediatric services in addition to standard clinic care, 
including mental health, social work, audiology, ophthalmology, 
allergy, and pediatric rehabilitation. As the clinic expands, it will 
be able to offer dental care and suturing.
  Opened in the summer of 1997, the clinic stands as the result of Dr. 
Donald Cook's dream to bring medical care to thousands of low-income 
children in Weld County. Dr. Cook, a pediatric physician of 37 years, 
retired from the clinic this summer. He will serve a year as vice 
president of the American Academy of Pediatrics for a year and then one 
year as president.
  The Monfort Children's Clinic was built through the generosity of the 
citizens of Weld County. The clinic derives its name from the Monfort 
Family Foundation which contributed

[[Page E1707]]

$1 million. Although located in poverty-stricken North Greeley only a 
mile or so from the county jail, the clinic is a cheerful and safe 
environment. In the year it has been open, it has not once been marked 
with graffiti or vandalism.
  In addition to recognizing the excellent care provided by this 
clinic, I need to draw attention to the burden the government has 
placed on this facility which prevents it from being as efficient as it 
could be. Currently, the Monfort Children's Clinic must send routine 
lab tests to a large laboratory, although its staff is capable of 
processing the tests in house. The clinic cannot afford to meet the 
federal regulations that would enable them to do even simple tests on 
site.
  Mr. Speaker, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Amendments would 
lift this burden and allow the Monfort Children's Clinic to make the 
best use of their time and money. H.R. 2250, of which I am a cosponsor, 
would amend section 353 of the Public Health Service Act to exempt 
physician office laboratories from the clinical laboratories 
requirements of that section. In light of the clinic's current dilemma, 
I urge the House to move this legislation to the floor for a vote 
before the year is over.
  The Monfort Clinic is a very special place and I can only hope that 
by giving it the recognition it deserves, that Congress will act 
responsibly on its behalf. Additionally, I would like to thank Joe 
Morado and Debbie Pilch for their time and for their commitment to the 
children of Greeley.

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