[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIG SUR HEALTH CENTER

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                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2019

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Big Sur Health Center. 
Big Sur Health Center opened in 1979 with a mission to bring quality 
medical care to the rural community of Big Sur and continues to serve 
as the only medical facility in the immediate area. The non-profit 
center provides affordable, culturally sensitive healthcare centering 
on diverse patient needs to both residents and visitors alike. When it 
opened, Big Sur Health Center offered services one day a week and 
facilitated 850 patient visits a year. Recognizing the need in the area 
and with community-wide fundraising support, the center quickly 
expanded to a 2,100 square-foot medical facility providing services 
five days a week. To date, they have administered more that 73,000 
patient visits.
  In its 40 years of service to the central coast of California, Big 
Sur Health Center has grown to meet the needs of our local community. 
Their team has developed vital programs and services, including a 
pharmaceutical service for urgent care medications and supplies, a 
fully-equipped dental suite to provide full-service oral healthcare, 
chiropractic care, acupuncture care, and a multicultural outreach 
program. Their bilingual staff aims to provide personalized, 
comprehensive, and holistic care to the diverse cultures and 
communities in Big Sur.
  With unpredictable coastal hazards and frequent geographic and 
climate challenges, the Big Sur community faces unique medical needs. 
Big Sur Health Center has responded to these needs by offering 24-hour-
on-call service and home visits and coordinates with local emergency 
teams during extreme weather conditions and natural disasters. In 
recent years, the center has offered healthcare services to thousands 
of firefighters during six large-scale fires. They have remained 
innovative in their response to local needs, working in partnership 
with medical facilities on the Monterey Peninsula to limit the need for 
residents to commute 30-miles for laboratory testing and other 
immediate medical services.
  I am honored to recognize Big Sur Health Center and its important 
contributions to the health of residents on the Central Coast over the 
past 40 years. They have made incredible progress from their small 
clinic in 1979 and will undoubtedly continue to evolve with the needs 
of the community to provide quality, affordable healthcare services to 
our rural coastline. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in 
congratulating and thanking Big Sur Health Center for 40 years of 
service to our community.

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