[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 173 (Thursday, October 31, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALTAMED HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 31, 2019

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
AltaMed Health Services Corporation on its 50th anniversary. Over the 
past half-century, AltaMed has become a leader in delivering quality 
health care and empowering communities, and stands today as one of 
America's largest independent federally qualified health centers.
  When AltaMed was founded in 1969 as the East LA Barrio Free Clinic, 
it relied entirely on grants and donations. The clinic provided 
critically needed care to predominantly Latino and underserved 
individuals and families who had little to no access to medical 
services.
  Today, AltaMed is California's premier community health network, 
encompassing more than 50 service delivery sites throughout Los Angeles 
and Orange Counties, and staffed by a culturally and linguistically 
competent workforce of more than 3,000 employees. It provides care to 
more than 300,000 individuals and families in one million annual 
patient encounters. In addition, AltaMed has expanded beyond primary 
care to deliver a full continuum of care that includes pediatrics, 
dental care, women's health, senior services, youth services, and HIV/ 
AIDS services. To this day, AltaMed is committed to providing quality 
care without exception and working to address health disparities in our 
communities.
  In 1982, AltaMed began offering senior services by opening its first 
Adult Day Health Care Center in East Los Angeles, providing medical and 
rehabilitative care to older adults. In 1996, AltaMed made the 
transition to PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), a 
world-class managed-care program that uses a unique team-based approach 
to provide frail older adults with medical, social, nutritional, and 
rehabilitation services. This program makes it possible for those who 
meet nursing home eligibility requirements to remain at home, enjoying 
the comfort and reassurance of familiar surroundings while receiving 
the care they need. AltaMed currently serves nearly 2,700 older adults 
at eight PACE locations in Los Angeles County.
  With the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, more than 20 
million uninsured Americans gained access to comprehensive health 
coverage. AltaMed led widespread efforts through its service delivery 
sites to enroll and provide resources to newly eligible individuals, 
becoming Covered California's top certified enrollment entity for 
several years in a row, and earning a grant through the state's 
Navigator Program.
  In addition to its role as a leading health care provider, AltaMed 
leads advocacy efforts to protect critical safety net programs and 
expand access to services in order to grow healthier communities. This 
is made possible through strong partnerships with elected officials and 
community organizations. AltaMed's advocacy includes championing 
California's historic Health for All Kids Act (SB 4) which granted an 
estimated 170,000 undocumented children access to health care coverage 
under Medi-Cal. AltaMed has also advocated to protect vital federal 
funding for community health centers.
  With a commitment to social justice and the understanding that health 
centers play a significant role in helping to achieve health equity, 
AltaMed launched the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity in 2017. 
Through innovation, education, research, and community engagement, the 
institute works to inform and support the elimination of health 
disparities that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic 
minorities.
  In 2018, AltaMed launched a first-of-its-kind effort to mobilize low-
propensity voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box in the 
brand-new ``My Vote, My Health'' campaign. Drawing on best practices 
from Get Out The Vote research, and leveraging organization and 
community assets, AltaMed worked to inform, motivate, and mobilize 
patients and employees to protect access to their healthcare services 
through the power of their vote. AltaMed's effort resulted in increases 
in voter participation of as much as 432 percent in some of the 
hardest-to-reach voter precincts.
  On November 8, 2019, AltaMed will commemorate its 50th anniversary. 
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating 
AltaMed on achieving this historic milestone as an exceptional health 
care leader, advancing quality care for Latino, multi-ethnic, and 
underserved communities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

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