[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF THE SOLANO COALITION FOR BETTER HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to 
recognize the Solano Coalition for Better Health (SCBH), which is 
celebrating its 10th Anniversary year. On June 5, SCBH kicked off its 
10th Anniversary Celebration by hosting an Enrollment Day for the 
Solano Kids Insurance Program (SKIP), in an effort to promote free or 
low cost health insurance options for Solano County children, and it's 
fitting that we honor SCBH at this time for its many contributions to 
the community.
  SCBH is a nonprofit organization of health care administrators, 
government officials, local physicians, representatives from the 
business and educational communities, and neighborhood advocates. Its 
focus is to improve the health and quality of life in Solano County by 
sharing resources through effective partnerships. It is a nationally 
recognized model of public and private partnerships, creating system 
changes in the provision of care and services to promote and improve 
the health and safety of the people and their communities.
  SCBH works in a collaborative fashion and places high value on 
efforts that benefit the community, neighborhoods and people of Solano 
County, and meets the interests and needs of individuals and specific 
constituencies within the community.
  SCBH recognizes and values diverse communities, neighborhoods and 
people within Solano County and encourages their participation in 
improving the health of all county residents, through a multi-lingual 
network of health and social services providers, reflective of the 
population of Solano County in gender, sexual orientation, culture, 
ethnicity, and disability.
  SCBH is innovative in its approach to addressing the health needs of 
Solano County residents and is not adverse to taking risks for 
potential rewards. Further, it recognizes and values the unique 
importance of innovative approaches in responding to health issues that 
disproportionately impact ethnic communities.
  SCBH has initiated such unique programs as:
  (1) the Partnership HealthPlan of California, a public/private 
organization designed to provide a cost-effective method of health care 
delivery to Medi-Cal recipients in Solano County, which has now 
expanded to include Napa County
  (2) Healthier Solano Communities, an initiative that promotes 
wellness in each of Solano County's seven cities by creating or 
supporting a team in each city to look at issues in each city that 
impact health and wellness; identify one or more issues in each city 
that can be addressed; and, develop partnerships and plans to address 
those issues.
  (3) the Community Services Task Force, which includes volunteers who 
are service providers from public, private, County nonprofit, and 
community based organizations, and advocates for health and human 
services that are culturally, linguistically, geographically, 
physically, and financially accessible to all residents of Solano 
County.
  (4) Solano Health Improvement Initiative (SHII), which addresses the 
most critical indicators of health in the community, and has expanded 
countywide efforts to pursue strategies that address three initial 
goals:
  1. All children will be healthy and ready to learn when they enter 
school.
  2. Comprehensive prevention, early detection, and support services 
will be developed for individuals living with cancer in Solano County.
  3. People with diabetes or at risk of diabetes will live well and 
independently in the community.
  In recognition of the SHII's outstanding cancer community outreach 
efforts, the U.S. Postal Service presented the first Prostate Cancer 
Awareness Stamp Dedication in California on June 5th at the SCBH's 10th 
Anniversary celebration.
  (5) SKIP which provides outreach efforts to enroll children in free 
or low cost health insurance options in Solano County.
  Mr. Speaker, SCBH participants are people who are personally 
committed and who dedicate their time, talent and knowledge to 
influence the organizations they represent to support the Coalition's 
mission. I commend them for their outstanding contributions to the 
community.

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