[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 5 (Thursday, January 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       HONORING WELLSPACE HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AMI BERA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 10, 2019

  Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize WellSpace Health 
for their commitment to high quality comprehensive health care in the 
Sacramento region and congratulate them as they celebrate over 65 years 
of service in 2019.
   The Family Service Agency of Greater Sacramento (FSA) opened in 1953 
as a mental health treatment and prevention organization. FSA provided 
treatment services, child abuse prevention, and a suicide prevention 
crisis line. In 2005, FSA merged with The Aquarian Effort (The Effort), 
a free clinic designed to address substance use disorders. The Effort 
became a community clinic as their programs drew more high need persons 
to preventive health care. FSA's emphasis on mental health care has 
continued through its merger with the Effort and in 2013, the Effort 
was renamed WellSpace Health after their mergers with several health 
care providers concentrated on the underserved.
   WellSpace Health's development has focused on serving our region's 
low income populations alongside integration of services to provide 
comprehensive health care for its patients. Between 2009 and 2017, 
WellSpace increased its primary care service population from 3,000 to 
70,000 patients through 15 Community Health Centers in the Sacramento 
region. Along with primary care for all ages, WellSpace also provides 
adolescent dental care, women's health and prenatal care, and 
behavioral health treatment.
   I've known the great work WellSpace has done for the region for many 
years as I had the privilege to work with WellSpace back when it was 
the Aquarian Effort Clinic. WellSpace's work is critical to achieving 
first rate regional health care in Sacramento. I extend my sincere 
congratulations to the frontline employees, staff, and all the nurses 
and doctors at WellSpace. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
this organization and all it has done to provide access to health care 
for all in the Sacramento region.

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