[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 13 (Thursday, January 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING HEALTH CARE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY ON 25 YEARS OF 
  EXCELLENCE IN PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, FUNDING, AND HEALTH 
             CARE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 23, 2014

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Health Care District of Palm Beach County. This organization is 
renowned in the South Florida community for its excellent work in 
providing comprehensive planning, funding, and health care service 
delivery to residents of Palm Beach County.
  In the 25 years since its founding, the District's staff and 
volunteers have greatly contributed to the health and well-being of the 
citizens of Palm Beach County. In 1987, the Florida Legislature wisely 
recognized the need to provide ample access to health care services in 
the county, which worked as an impetus for the establishment of the 
Health Care District.
  The Health Care District has since grown to encompass a wide variety 
of safety-net programs. These programs include the newly constructed 
Lakeside Medical Center for treating acute-needs patients, school 
health clinics that serve over 170 public schools, the Edward J. Healy 
Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, as well as a variety of other 
coverage programs for uninsured residents of this predominantly rural 
and agricultural county.
  As the operator of the sole public hospital in Palm Beach County, the 
District has provided lifesaving care to over 3,000 severely injured 
trauma patients. It also provides health coverage to over 40,000 
uninsured county residents, enables uninsured expectant mothers to 
receive over 70,000 services, and continues to assist over 170,000 
county students, where nearly 683,000 visits have been made during the 
school year. In addition to this critical work, they have also treated 
over 23,000 visits to the Emergency Room at Lakeside Medical Center.
  I am very proud of the Health Care District's work, and privileged to 
have such a phenomenal organization serving in my Congressional 
district. I want to personally commend all the hardworking and 
dedicated staff, along with the countless volunteers of the Health Care 
District for their service to the community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize the Health Care 
District of Palm Beach County, and express my most sincere gratitude 
for all that they have accomplished. I wish them many more years of 
continued success.

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