[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1762-E1763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2005

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the goals and ideals 
of National Health Center Week. I also wish to recognize the Will 
County Community Health Center which is one of Illinois' largest and 
most comprehensive public health agencies. The Will County Community 
Health Center has served Will County in my 11th Congressional District 
since 1942 and became a Federally Qualified Health Center in 1997. They 
annually care for more than 48,000 medically underserved county 
residents.
  On July 25, 2005, House Resolution 289, of which I am co-sponsor, 
passed the U.S. House of Representatives. House Resolution 289 reads as 
follows:
  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 servicing more 
than 15,000,000 people in over 3,600 communities;
  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;
  Whereas these health centers provide care to 1 of every 7 uninsured 
individuals, 1 of every 9 Medicaid beneficiaries, 1 of every 7 people 
of color, and 1 of every 9 rural Americans, all of whom would otherwise 
lack access to health care;
  Whereas these health centers are engaged with other innovative 
programs in primary and preventive care to reach out to over 621,000 
homeless persons and more than 709,000 farm workers;
  Whereas these health centers make health care responsive and cost-
effective by integrating the delivery of primary care mammograms, and 
glaucoma screenings;

[[Page E1763]]

  Whereas in communities served by these health centers, infant 
mortality rates have been reduced over the past 4 years even as infant 
mortality rates across the country have risen;
  Whereas these health centers are built by community initiative, and 
run by the patients they serve;
  Whereas Federal grants provide seed money empowering communities to 
find partners and resources to recruit doctors and needed health 
professionals;
  Whereas Federal grants on average contribute 25 % 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 there are more than 100 health centers that receive no 
Federal grant funding, yet continue to serve their communities 
regardless of their patients' ability to pay;
  Whereas health centers tailor their services to fit the special needs 
and priorities of their communities, working together with schools, 
businesses, churches, community organizations, foundations, and State 
and local governments;
  Whereas 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 health centers encourage citizen participation and provide 
jobs for nearly 100,000 community residents; and
  Whereas National Health Center Week raises awareness of the health 
services provided by health centers: Now, therefore be it
  Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
  (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Health Center Week; and
  (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize Health 
Departments in their own districts whose actions have so greatly 
benefitted and strengthened America's families and communities.

                          ____________________