[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 37 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize an organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to 
the citizens of San Miguel County. The Uncompahgre Medical Center in 
Norwood, Colorado has developed the Neighbor-to-Neighbor fund, an 
innovative approach to funding the unexpected medical needs of the 
surrounding communities.
  While the Medical Center's sliding fee and indigent care programs 
already assist the forty-percent of patients who are not insured, the 
fund, consisting entirely of individual contributions, covers one-time, 
small-scale medical and emergency needs otherwise out of reach for 
patients. Operating with no administrative costs, one hundred percent 
of contributions to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund go to help San Miguel 
County residents in medical need. Only doctors and physician's 
assistants write checks on the fund, ensuring that the money serves as 
an instant tool for filling gaps in medical care. The fund, while 
usually holding less than $1000, can cover numerous essentials, from a 
simple brace to fixing a serious dental problem.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to recognize the Uncompahgre 
Medical Center for its creativity in addressing difficult health care 
problems before this body of Congress and this nation. The Neighbor-to-
Neighbor Fund is making a big difference in community health care with 
a small amount of money.

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