[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 289 Engrossed in House (EH)]
H. Res. 289
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
July 25, 2005.
Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers are
nonprofit, community owned and operated health providers and are vital
to the Nation's communities;
Whereas there are more than 1,000 such health centers serving more than
15,000,000 people in over 3,600 communities;
Whereas such health centers are found in urban and rural communities in all 50
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin
Islands;
Whereas such health centers have provided cost-effective, high-quality health
care to the Nation's poor and medically underserved (including the
working poor, the uninsured, and many high-risk and vulnerable
populations), acting as a vital safety net in the Nation's health
delivery system;
Whereas these health centers provide care to 1 of every 7 uninsured individuals,
1 of every 9 Medicaid beneficiaries, 1 of every 7 people of color, and 1
of every 9 rural Americans, all of whom would otherwise lack access to
health care;
Whereas these health centers are engaged with other innovative programs in
primary and preventive care to reach out to over 621,000 homeless
persons and more than 709,000 farm workers;
Whereas these health centers make health care responsive and cost-effective by
integrating the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach,
patient education, transportation, translation, and enabling support
services;
Whereas these health centers increase the use of preventive health services such
as immunizations, Pap smears, mammograms, and glaucoma screenings;
Whereas in communities served by these health centers, infant mortality rates
have been reduced over the past 4 years even as infant mortality rates
across the country have risen;
Whereas these health centers are built by community initiative, and run by the
patients they serve;
Whereas Federal grants provide seed money empowering communities to find
partners and resources to recruit doctors and needed health
professionals;
Whereas Federal grants on average contribute 25 percent of such a health
center's budget, with the remainder provided by State and local
governments, Medicare, Medicaid, private contributions, private
insurance, and patient fees;
Whereas there are more than 100 health centers that receive no Federal grant
funding, yet continue to serve their communities regardless of their
patients' ability to pay;
Whereas health centers tailor their services to fit the special needs and
priorities of their communities, working together with schools,
businesses, churches, community organizations, foundations, and State
and local governments;
Whereas health centers contribute to the health and well-being of their
communities by keeping children healthy and in school and helping adults
remain productive and on the job;
Whereas health centers encourage citizen participation and provide jobs for
nearly 100,000 community residents; and
Whereas National Health Center Week raises awareness of the health services
provided by health centers: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Health Center Week;
and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon
the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
Attest:
Clerk.