[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THERE SHOULD BE 
          ESTABLISHED A NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor 
of this resolution to establish a National Community Health Center 
Week. As we have discussed prescription drugs for our seniors on the 
House floor, some of the main points of discussion have been issues 
like affordability, accessibility and who is being served. Just as the 
bill that was passed last Congress and this Congress, there will be 
individuals that can not afford their prescriptions or some that will 
just not have access to them. Fortunately, I know that there are 
Community Health Centers available throughout the nation to help those 
in need or who get displaced by health care legislation. Community 
health centers have become the safety net within the health care system 
caring for 1 of every 5 low-income babies born in America, 1 of every 8 
uninsured individuals, 1 of every 9 Medicaid beneficiaries, 1 of every 
9 persons of color, 1 of every 10 rural Americans, almost 750,000 
homeless and nearly 850,000 farm workers. Community health centers are 
established in almost every corner of our nation, representing every 
aspect of any Congressional district--whether it be assisting the 
working poor in the inner city or in the rural farmland, migrant 
workers, or even those who have insurance but do not have access to any 
other health facilities.
  These health centers provide high-quality, cost effective health care 
as they continually meet escalating health needs and assist in reducing 
health disparities as well as adapting to the changing nation. With the 
weakened economy and unemployment reaching its highest point in almost 
a decade, our nation's health centers are feeling and will continue to 
feel the consequences by an increasing volume of patients, especially 
the uninsured. By establishing a week to raise awareness of community 
health centers, we will also be highlighting each year the great 
accomplishments these nonprofit, community owned and operated health 
providers offer so many communities. With recent numbers indicating 
that the nation's uninsured population is even higher than once 
thought, at a startling 60 million, if our nation will not realize the 
need for universal health care, we need to realize the importance and 
the need to better fund our community health centers.
  One of the most amazing aspects of the community health centers is 
the involvement of the community. Each center tailors their services to 
best meet the needs and priorities of the communities of which they are 
in. Citizens in these communities become active participants in their 
community's health care decision making. Health centers even provide 
approximately 60,000 jobs to the residents in the communities of the 
centers.
  Mr. Speaker, community health centers are the safety net that are 
committed to serving all individuals with the mission that everyone 
deserves quality health care services regardless of where one resides, 
if they can pay or have insurance. They are vital in insuring that 
America's forgotten are being kept healthy.

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