[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4623-S4624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       OREGON HEALTH CARE HEROES

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to salute Chance and 
Dr. Lisa Steffey as Oregon Health Care Heroes for their willingness to 
save a deeply needed community health clinic in Oregon's beautiful, 
rural community of La Pine.
  A hero is someone who sets aside personal interest to act for another 
person's welfare. That is exactly what Dr. Steffey and her husband did 
when they purchased the La Pine Community Clinic in Oregon. Because of 
their courage and willingness to take a risk, an Oregon community with 
extremely limited health care resources will continue to have a local 
place to access health services.
  Despite warnings that purchasing the community health clinic was a 
significant financial risk, the couple forged ahead. Without their 
intervention, the clinic would have closed, leaving many residents 
without access to local care. Many of the clinic's clients are Medicaid 
and Medicare patients who would have been forced to travel significant 
distances to find care had the Steffeys not seen an opportunity.
  La Pine has been named a Health Professional Shortage Area where many 
residents do not have access to care. Low Medicare and Medicaid 
reimbursements make it difficult for doctors to serve the area, which 
is home to many who rely on these programs for health coverage. But 
with the Steffeys' dedication, and the temporary help of Central Oregon 
Independent Health Services, the clinic is now financially stable and 
serving the families of La Pine.
  Many rural Oregon residents face incredible hurdles accessing health 
services. The shortage of providers willing to serve in rural areas, 
combined with the particularly low federal reimbursement levels offered 
to rural providers, has caused an exodus of health services

[[Page S4624]]

from the country. Add this to the large number of uninsured families 
who live in these communities, and the crisis facing rural health care 
delivery is clear.
  Despite numerous efforts to increase reimbursement rates for rural 
health services and our ongoing quest to cover the millions of 
uninsured across America, rural people are still hurting. It takes 
people like the Steffeys, who are willing to make a sacrifice to meet 
the needs of rural communities today, while we continue to work towards 
solutions for tomorrow.
  On March 1, 2003, Dr. and Mr. Steffey took ownership of the La Pine 
Community Clinic. I hope that their vision is rewarded with great 
success. I join the many grateful residents of La Pine in naming them 
as Oregon Health Care Heroes and thank them for bringing hope and 
healing to La Pine.

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