[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48855-48856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19978]



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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8545--National Health Center Week, 2010
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 11, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8545 of August 5, 2010

                
National Health Center Week, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's community health centers are a vital 
                component of our health care system, providing 
                underserved communities access to coordinated primary 
                and preventive care. During National Health Center 
                Week, we recognize the important work of community 
                health centers for their role in providing quality, 
                accessible, and affordable patient care as we strive to 
                build a health care system equipped for the 21st 
                century.

                Today, community health centers serve nearly 19 million 
                patients across our Nation, and they are essential for 
                underserved communities and vulnerable populations. 
                They provide care to those who need it most, including 
                millions of Americans with no medical insurance and 
                whose illnesses might otherwise result in an unmet 
                medical need or emergency room visit. As comprehensive 
                wellness hubs, community health centers diagnose and 
                treat illness and injury, and emphasize preventive care 
                and wellness practices. Rooted in community-based and 
                patient-centered care, they also respond to the unique 
                needs of their local communities by conducting outreach 
                and education, ensuring patients can communicate with 
                their providers, and linking patients with social 
                services.

                My Administration has made significant investments in 
                community health centers. Serving as an economic anchor 
                in many low-income and economically struggling 
                communities, community health centers are an integral 
                source of local employment and economic growth. The 
                American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has already 
                provided unprecedented investments in the construction 
                and renovation of community health centers so they can 
                expand their staff and facilities, adopt health 
                information technology systems, and meet their critical 
                care needs.

                The reforms in the landmark new health care law, the 
                Affordable Care Act, also strengthen and build upon our 
                existing system of health care centers. This law 
                invests $11 billion in funding over the next 5 years, 
                enabling community health centers to serve nearly 
                double the number of patients currently receiving care, 
                regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. 
                It also finances the construction of hundreds of new 
                community health centers, bringing high quality health 
                care, jobs, and economic benefits to countless 
                individuals and communities.

                Community health centers are at the heart of a modern, 
                reformed health care system in America. We must 
                continue to invest in these centers and ensure that 
                comprehensive, culturally competent, and quality 
                primary health care services are accessible in every 
                community across our Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim the week of August 8 
                through August 14, 2010, as National Health Center 
                Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate this week 
                by visiting their local community health center, 
                meeting local health center providers, and exploring 
                the programs they offer to keep their families healthy.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-19978
Filed 8-10-10; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P