[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, across the country partnerships built 
of people, governments, and communities are coming together offering 
health services to local patients. Health care centers serve 20 million 
people nationally and improve access to care for millions of Americans. 
I rise today in support of National Health Center Week and two centers, 
Three Rivers Community Health Center and Perry County Medical Center, 
who are celebrating accordingly.
  Built by community initiative, health care centers are community-
driven and patient-centered. In 23 centers, over 300,000 patients are 
treated throughout the great state of Tennessee. Regardless of 
insurance status or ability to pay, patients receive preventative and 
accessible care when healthcare is needed but scarce. The Three Rivers 
and Perry County Centers focus on high-need areas identified by 
elevated poverty, higher than average infant mortality, and few 
physicians in residence.
  By reducing costly emergency, hospital, and specialty care, Community 
Health Centers save the health care system $24 billion a year. During 
National Health Center Week, we celebrate the care offered to the 
nation's most vulnerable populations. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking the Three Rivers Community Health and Perry County Medical 
Centers for providing access to affordable, high quality, and cost-
effective health care to the citizens of the 7th District.

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