[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
``National Hospital Week'' (NHW). This year, the theme is ``Where 
Miracles Happen Every Day''. That theme portrays the uniqueness and 
necessity of the field of healthcare. This period of time will 
recognize and honor health care professionals, volunteers, and other 
health professionals for their continued dedication to healing our 
communities. The celebration of National Hospital Week began in 1921. A 
magazine editor developed an idea to place more information about 
hospitals in communities to help erase public fears and uncertainties 
about healthcare at that time. Since NHW's origination, it has 
developed into the nation's largest health care event.
  This prestigious event is sponsored by the American Hospital 
Association (AHA). The AHA has been in existence since 1899. It started 
as an association of Hospital superintendents with a mission to 
facilitate discussion among hospital administrators. Overtime, its 
members and mission has develop into a membership which embodies all 
health care workers and a mission that stresses leadership in public 
policy, representation and advocacy, and services. Today, the AHA 
focuses on enhancement of health status, health promotion, ongoing care 
and rehabilitation of patients, education, research, and that all these 
activities are conducted with an overriding concern for the values and 
dignity of patients.
  As I stated earlier, I am an advocate of this celebration. This week 
will help us to focus on universal health coverage by allowing health 
care workers across our nation to share ideas and thoughts on the 
coverage issue and others. In a time of state budget cuts and medicaid 
cuts, this week will display the need for appropriate funding of the 
health care system. In the past year in Illinois, hospitals grappled 
with Medicaid funding cuts of $340 million. Nursing homes in Illinois 
dealt with medicaid funding cuts of $170 million.
  Additionally, this week will help us attack the issue of health care 
access as grass roots discussions take palce and solutions are 
developed from individuals at the fore front of health care.
  In the 7th Congressional District, there are twenty-five community 
health centers, twenty-three hospitals, three veteran hospitals, and 
four medical schools. These institutions help sustain my district. I 
urge my colleagues and constituents to join me in this celebration 
which is vital to the health of our Nation.