[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1968

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of 
legislation that I recently introduced, H.R. 1968, the Community Health 
Workers Act of 2007.
  The bill provides Federal support for community health workers, also 
known as promotoras. Community health workers conduct education and 
provide prevention information on chronic illnesses to communities of 
color, the Asian, Latino, African American and even Native American 
communities. They are able to reach out to patients in ways that 
traditional health care providers can't, through culturally and 
linguistically appropriate care. They are trusted by their communities.
  Families who interacted with community workers were eight times more 
likely to obtain health insurance for their children, and their 
children stayed insured. That is why I strongly believe that the 
community health workers need to be part of the SCHIP reauthorization 
bill moving forward in the House.
  As the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Health Task Force, 
I am committed to reducing health care disparities in our country. The 
legislation will help achieve that goal, and I am proud to have the 
support of other colleagues here today.

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