[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               50TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDES

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 
50th anniversary of the Community Health Aides in the State of Alaska.
  All across rural Alaska, there are women and men who devote their 
time and energy to ensure their communities remain healthy, have 
sufficient care, and provide basic health education. These are our 
Community Health Aides, working each and every day with all ages.
  As a result of lack of access to healthcare in rural Alaska, the 
Community Health Aide Program, CHAP, was developed. Since 1968, CHAP 
has received congressional funding and recognition for the tremendous 
work they do. This program has allowed for a greater relationship 
between the State and Federal Government, as they coordinate with many 
of our Tribal health organizations, such as the Alaska Native Tribal 
Health Consortium.
  Alaska has seen outbreaks of tuberculosis, high incidence of infant 
mortality, and high rates of serious injuries that simply could have 
been prevented had there been specific community leaders whose role was 
to educate and provide for the community's health needs.
  Currently, there are approximately 550 Community Health Aides and 
Practitioners, CHA/Ps, in more than 170 rural communities across 
Alaska. CHA/Ps are truly the people on the frontlines providing 
firsthand treatment and serving as the link to primary care providers, 
regional hospitals, and specifically the Alaska Native Medical Center 
in Anchorage. For those times that the patients cannot travel, the CHA/
Ps will coordinate specialized nurses and practitioners to visit their 
village quickly and efficiently.
  CHA/Ps receive ongoing training and education, following their 
initial 3 to 4-week training period. There are four training centers in 
Alaska--Anchorage, Bethel, Nome, and Sitka--and it is at these centers 
where they receive the skills necessary to ensure the highest quality 
care is administered in rural regions of Alaska. This is a critical 
role in our communities. I am grateful for the CHAP program and for the 
men and women who are changing the outcomes of many Alaskans' lives 
each and every day.
  In this 50th year, Alaskans in communities across the State, from 
Nuiqsut, Ester, Klawock, Illiamna, to Dutch Harbor, have taken time to 
celebrate their valued community health providers, giving them the 
honor they surely deserve.
  Thank you.

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