[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REPEALING MANDATORY FUNDING FOR SCHOOL HEALTH CENTER CONSTRUCTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1214) to 
     repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center 
     construction:

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1214.
  School-based health centers are a critical component of our nation's 
health care safety net.
  More than 1,900 school-based health centers across the country 
provide access to care to nearly two million students.
  Centers in high schools in my district like Maine East, Evanston 
Township, and Sullivan and Senn in Chicago, ensure that students can 
get access to primary, mental, and dental health services.
  School-based health centers are often the only source of health care 
for many children and adolescents who would otherwise go without needed 
services, and services are provided regardless of students' ability to 
pay.
  They offer treatment to students who lack insurance or whose parents 
are unable to take time off work to take them to the doctor. They keep 
children from missing school, and they ensure that children's health 
care needs are met.
  Studies have shown that school-based health centers decrease 
emergency room visits and Medicaid expenditures while improving grades, 
school attendance, and graduation rates.
  The Affordable Care Act provides grants for construction, renovation, 
and equipment for school-based health centers to increase access--this 
bill denies access.
  If we are concerned about providing our children with access to 
health care--we must reject this bill.

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