[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 4, 2005, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with pleasure 
in support of the administration's budget proposal for our Nation's 
community health centers. I would also note that community health 
centers have received bipartisan support over the years.
  These health care organizations provide an essential function in all 
of our districts, and I believe that they are one of the most effective 
entities in delivering quality care to low-income populations at cost-
effective prices.

                              {time}  1245

  In my State of New Hampshire alone, over 81,000 citizens received 
treatment at a community health center in 2004. A substantial portion 
of these patients, over one-third, were uninsured. The administration 
has been cognizant of the impact of community health centers, pledging 
to add 1,200 new centers between 2001 and 2006. The budget released 
last week completes this commitment and has resulted in increased 
access to health services for Americans throughout our country.
  Community health centers provide vital outreach services to 
individuals who may otherwise not have access to the care they need. 
These services include educational campaigns to raise awareness of 
preventative options in health care such as health screenings and 
nutritional campaigns. By educating individuals about primary care 
options, community health centers are able to both improve the quality 
of life and restrain health care costs.
  Dental and behavioral health care services are also critical to the 
populations served by community health centers. The medical staff of 
these organizations are often the front line for establishing quality 
dental health habits and responding to mental health needs as they 
develop. An established hallmark of community health centers is their 
ability to intervene in health problems before they become crises.
  One of the goals of community health centers is to establish 
partnerships with local community leaders and coalitions. These 
individuals and groups are acutely aware of the pulse and the needs of 
the community and can effectively advocate for appropriate outreach and 
medical services. The ability of a health organization to understand 
its community is essential in bringing tailored, efficient, and 
effective care to the people it serves. It is clear that community 
health centers are adept at gaining this insight, in turn benefiting 
all Americans.
  As my colleagues can see, community health centers play a vital role 
in the delivery of care in our communities. Too often, low-income or 
uninsured patients delay receiving treatment due to the costs, and then 
they are ultimately forced to receive care at the health industry's 
most costly access point, which is the emergency room. Community health 
centers provide quality primary care to patients, often resulting in 
the prevention of unnecessary ailments. This results in a cost savings 
to all health care facilities and subsequently yields lower health 
insurance premiums for Americans. Community health centers have 
demonstrated that they have a positive effect on both the health and 
economic well-being of their communities, and indeed our Nation, as a 
whole.
  In particular, I would like to congratulate Lampsey Health Center of 
Newmarket, New Hampshire, and Ann Peters and her fantastic staff for 
their service to the people's health care needs in that region of my 
State. Their efforts and those of their colleagues are particularly 
noteworthy and worthy of commendation.

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