[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 108 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H7179-H7181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THERE SHOULD BE
ESTABLISHED A NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 240) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National Community
Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by
community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 240
Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless
health centers are nonprofit, community owned and operated
health providers and are vital to the Nation's communities;
Whereas there are more than 1,000 such health centers
serving 13,000,000 people at more than 4,000 health delivery
sites, spanning urban and rural communities in all 50 States,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin
Islands;
Whereas such health centers have provided cost-effective,
high-quality health care to the Nation's poor and medically
underserved (including the working poor, the uninsured, and
many high-risk and vulnerable populations), acting as a vital
safety net in the Nation's health delivery system, meeting
escalating health needs, and reducing health disparities;
Whereas these health centers provide care to 1 of every 5
low-income babies born in America, 1 of every 8 uninsured
individuals, 1 of every 9 Medicaid beneficiaries, 1 of every
9 people of color, and 1 of every 10 rural Americans, and
these Americans would otherwise lack access to health care;
Whereas these health centers and other innovative programs
in primary and preventive care reach out to almost 750,000
homeless persons and nearly 850,000 farmworkers;
Whereas these health centers make health care responsive
and cost effective by integrating the delivery of primary
care with aggressive outreach, patient education,
translation, and enabling support services;
Whereas these health centers increase the use of preventive
health services such as immunizations, Pap smears,
mammograms, and glaucoma screenings;
Whereas in communities served by these health centers,
infant mortality rates have been reduced between 10 and 40
percent;
Whereas these health centers are built by community
initiative;
Whereas Federal grants provide seed money empowering
communities to find partners and resources and to recruit
doctors and needed health professionals;
Whereas Federal grants on average contribute 25 percent of
such a health center's budget, with the remainder provided by
State and local governments, Medicare, Medicaid, private
contributions, private insurance, and patient fees;
Whereas these health centers are community oriented and
patient focused;
Whereas these health centers tailor their services to fit
the special needs and priorities of communities, working
together with schools, businesses, churches, community
organizations, foundations, and State and local governments;
Whereas these health centers contribute to the health and
well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy
and in school and helping adults remain productive and on the
job;
Whereas these health centers engage citizen participation
and provide jobs for 60,000 community residents; and
Whereas the establishment of a National Community Health
Center Week for the week beginning on August 10, 2003, would
raise awareness of the health services provided by these
health centers: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) there should be established a National Community Health
Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by
community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health
centers; and
(2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on
the people of the United States and interested organizations
to observe such a week with appropriate programs and
activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
General Leave
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the legislation under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 240, introduced by my distinguished
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), commends the
invaluable work of community health centers across the country.
As the text of this resolution states, there are over 1,000 health
centers in the U.S. that provide outstanding health-related services to
primarily low-income individuals. The vast majority of these care
centers welcome all patients, regardless of their health coverage or
ability to pay. Patients pay what they can afford at these facilities,
and virtually no one in need is ever turned away. Those who seek help
receive first-rate care at a fraction of the standard cost.
In addition to patient fees, community health centers are supported
by Federal grants and contributions from State and local governments,
Medicare, and private interests.
On behalf of the House, I want to join with the gentleman from
Illinois and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton)
in praising the compassionate work of the thousands of employees and
volunteers at community health centers across our great Nation. These
care givers help so many, and this resolution intends to recognize
their selfless efforts.
In addition, I hope the House's consideration of House Resolution
240 today will raise awareness of the services provided by the
community health centers to all Americans who seek high-quality health
care.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois for
introducing House Resolution 240. I urge all Members to support its
adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H7180]]
(Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my good friend, the gentleman
from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), in speaking strongly for this measure
introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
As we have discussed prescription drugs for our seniors on the House
floor, some of the main points of discussion have been issues like
affordability, accessibility, and who is being served. Just as the bill
that was passed last Congress and this Congress, there will be
individuals who cannot afford their prescriptions or some who will not
have access to them. Fortunately, I know that there are community
health centers available throughout the Nation to help those in need or
who become displaced by health care legislation.
Community health centers have been the safety net within the health
care system, caring for one out of every five low-income babies born in
America; one out of every eight uninsured individuals; one out of every
nine Medicaid beneficiaries; one out of every nine persons of color;
one out of every 10 rural Americans; almost 750,000 homeless; and
nearly 850,000 farm workers. Community health centers are established
in almost every corner of our Nation representing every aspect of every
congressional district, whether it be assisting the working poor and
the inner city or in the rural farm land, migrant workers, or even
those who have insurance but do not have access to any other health
care facilities.
By establishing a week to raise awareness of community health
centers, we will also be highlighting each year the great
accomplishments of these nonprofit, community-owned and -operated
health providers. With recent numbers indicating that the Nation's
uninsured population is even higher than we once thought, a startling
60 million, if our Nation will not realize the need for universal
health care, we need to at least realize the importance and the need to
better fund our community health centers.
In addition, health centers provide approximately 60,000 jobs to the
residents in the communities of the centers.
Mr. Speaker, community health centers are the safety net that is
committed to serving all individuals with the mission that everyone
deserves quality health care service regardless of where one resides.
Even if the person can pay or has insurance, these centers are
available. They are vital in ensuring that America's forgotten are
being kept healthy.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I have no further speakers, but I would like to make a few additional
comments.
I strongly support community health centers, and I have always been
impressed with the work performed by these centers and have found it
very effective for us to support increasing the resources available to
them. These centers have made wonderful contributions to the urban
areas in, for instance, Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District,
which I represent.
The care they provide is as good or better than care many patients
with more comprehensive coverage receive. These community health
centers served over 12 million people in the United States in 2001, 66
percent of whom lived below the poverty level and approximately 5
million of whom lack any health insurance.
There are over 3,000 centers in rural and urban communities
throughout the country which provide quality, cost-effective primary
and preventative care for low-income, uninsured and underinsured
patients. By preventing costly hospitalizations and less frequent use
of emergency care for routine services, it is estimated health centers
save the health care delivery system over $6 billion annually in
reduced use of costly hospital emergency room, specialty, and inpatient
care.
Last year, Congress, and I think this is very important, reauthorized
the community health center program. The legislation we passed aimed to
add another 1,200 new and expanded centers over the next 5 years and
doubled the number of patients who receive care in these clinics. This
directly addresses the challenge of providing health insurance to the
41 million Americans who lack it, allowing the program to serve
approximately one-fourth of that number, 10 million uninsured people.
So by passing H.R. 2660, the fiscal year 2004 Labor-Health and Human
Services-Education Appropriations Act 2 weeks ago, Congress continued
working towards the program's doubling.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member wishes to add his strong
support for H. Res. 240, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National Community
Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by
community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers.
This Member would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the Chairman of the House Government Reform
Committee, and the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr.
Waxman), the ranking member of the House Government Reform Committee,
for bringing this important resolution to the House Floor today. This
Member would also like to commend the distinguished gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for sponsoring H. Res. 240 and for his personal
interest in protecting and strengthening access to health care services
for all under-served Americans.
On June 18, 2003, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
notified this Member that the Peoples' Health Center of Lincoln,
Nebraska, has been awarded a $650,000 grant to establish a Federally
Qualified Community Health Center. This will be the first Community
Health Center in the First Congressional District of Nebraska.
This Member's congressional district has not had a Community Health
Center for far too long and I believe one is essential as residents of
this locality are in great need of access to comprehensive preventive
and primary health care services.
This Member and his staff have been working for more than one year
with the Peoples' Health Center Steering Committee to obtain funding
for the Community Health Center, which will serve a significant number
of residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County. This Member requested
support for the Health Center from the Health Resources and Services
Administration and subsequently testified before the Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee to express
his strong support for an appropriation of $830,000 to support the
construction of the Peoples' Health Center.
Construction of the Peoples' Health Center will take place in two
phases: Phase I (a west building) and Phase II (an east building).
Phase I is being funded entirely with local funds. The funding this
Member requested from the Subcommittee would be used for Phase II which
will allow for the construction of an 8,300 square foot building which
will be attached to the current Phase I building. Three dental
operatories and expanded dental staff areas will be included in Phase
II of the building. Space for a small radiology room, expanded offices
for mental health and substance abuse counselors, as well as expanded
conference and training space for health education and promotion is
also planned for the Phase II building. Expanded medical services will
be provided by moving existing administrative staff from the Phase I
building into the Phase II building. This will result in approximately
2,500 new dental patients, 1,800 new behavioral health patients, and
2,500 primary medical patients.
The People's Health Center would not have happened without the
leadership of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department under the
direction of Mr. Bruce Dart. Mrs. Judy Halstead, of the Lincoln-
Lancaster County Health Department, has been instrumental in leading
the `Peoples' Health Center Steering Committee. Additionally, Ms.
Charlotte Liggett from St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center and Mr.
Brad Sher of BryanLGH HealthSystem have served on the Peoples' Health
Center Executive Committee and helped secure the significant hospital
contributions for the Health Center. Numerous other individuals and
organizations spent a significant amount of time and energy on the
project. This Member commends all involved in the project for their
extraordinary efforts and dedication to providing uninsured and
underinsured with access to health care services.
This Member has met with the Steering Committee several times in the
past year to discuss their plans. Certain members of the Steering
Committee also visited his Washington office to show him the plans, and
accompanied this Member's staff to an urban Community Health Center in
Washington, DC. Mr. Craig Kennedy and Ms. Lisa Cox of the National
Association of Community Health Centers were most helpful in planning
this visit. A staff member of this Member's Washington, DC. office, Ms.
Michelle Spence, has played a very important role in assisting the
[[Page H7181]]
Lincoln effort and in promoting their case successfully within the
Federal agency, and this Member commends her for her outstanding
effort.
The Peoples' Health Center will be built on 27th and Y streets in
Lincoln. The buildings that existed on that land have been demolished
and a shell for the health center currently exists. Construction and
dry walling has just begun. It is expected that the Health Center will
open on September 30, 2003.
The proposed target population will include approximately 47,000
Lincoln and Lancaster County residents, including more than 50 percent
with incomes below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, 36 percent
uninsured, and 24 percent minority residents. It is anticipated that
the patients using the health center will include 40 percent Medicaid
eligible, 40 percent uninsured/sliding fee, 10 percent Medicare, and 10
percent other third party pay.
The resolution before us today expresses the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National Community
Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by
community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers; and
the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the
United States and interested organizations to observe such a week with
appropriate programs and activities.
It is this Member's hope that the establishment of the Peoples'
Health Center of Lincoln will raise awareness of the Health Centers
program to Nebraska residents and that this Center would participate in
National Community Health Center Week if one were established.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member urges his colleagues to support
H. Res. 240.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
240 to establish a National Community Health Center Week. I am pleased
that we take this time to acknowledge the important services offered by
community, migrant, public housing, and homeless community health
centers.
At a time when over 40 million Americans lack access to comprehensive
health care, community health centers across the country are left to
fill the growing void in health service provision. The existing gap in
health coverage has placed considerable demands on local health centers
to extend health coverage far beyond their financial and logistical
means. Unfortunately, the other party's tax cuts have continued to hurt
the funding of these health centers and their ability to extend
services.
These health centers have made patient care their highest priority
and are therefore dedicated to providing affordable care without
sacrificing the quality of health services. Community health centers
generally provide comprehensive primary health care for adults,
children, and families, living in both rural and urban areas. The
centers serve those who experience financial, geographic, and/or
cultural barriers to care. Migrant health facilities attempt to offer a
broad range of health services to migrant and seasonal farm workers and
their dependents. Public housing centers offer preventative and primary
health care services to improve the status of residents in the public
housing system. Homeless health centers provide outreach and case
management services, along with medical, dental, mental health, and
substance abuse counseling and treatment to homeless individuals. These
local and community health centers work tirelessly to ensure patient
satisfaction through vigilant awareness of community and patient needs
and full utilization of community partnerships and resources.
Community health centers across the country are not only to be
commended for the quality of the services they provide but for their
willingness to operate in under-served communities. In such
communities, resources are often limited and staff responsibilities
often exceed realistic expectations. For instance, those who work in
health centers for the homeless, in addition to providing a haven for
persons without residence, are likely to fill the role of substance
abuse counselors and mental health support workers for this
marginalized population. Community health providers wear these multiple
hats not because they have been told to do so, but because they in fact
recognize the multiple burdens that plague many of our low-income
populations.
Millions of Americans rely on the services provided in our local
health centers. Therefore, it is critical that we not forget the
immense work being done on the ground to secure the health and well
being of the poor and under-served in our districts. It is for this
reason that I am an ardent supporter for the establishment of a
National Community Health Center Week. I urge my colleagues to also
extend their support for H. Res. 240 on behalf of the courageous,
civic-minded work being done in our local communities. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 240.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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