[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HEALTH CENTERS PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE U.S.

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak 
about the essential role community health centers play in neighborhoods 
throughout the Nation.
  America's health centers serve 28 million patients who have the 
greatest difficulty accessing healthcare. This includes 24.9 million 
low-income patients; 3.5 million patients in or near public housing; 
1.4 million homeless patients; nearly 1 million patients who work in 
agriculture; and 6.2 million uninsured patients.
  Madam Speaker, community health centers are located in areas of high 
need and are open to everyone, regardless of insurance status or 
ability to pay.
  Congress recently made historic investments to the Health Center 
Program, which increased access, expanded services, and improved 
quality.
  Health centers also play an important role in rural America where the 
need is great, but services are often scarce.
  And, each year, community health centers generate approximately $54 
billion in economic activity and save the healthcare system an 
estimated $24 billion within our most underserved communities.
  Madam Speaker, we must ensure that all Americans receive the services 
they need, regardless of where they live, and community health centers 
do that.

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