Mr. Speaker ---- I rise today to support H.Res.289 designating the week of August 7 as “National Health Center Week”.  Community Health Centers provide primary health services to low income, working poor, Medicaid and Medicare enrollees and uninsured individuals.  

Community Health Care Centers provide a large range of services including primary care, cancer screenings, pre natal care and emergency medical services in medically underserved communities without regard to the patient’s ability to pay for the services. This past year almost 35% of all Illinois health center patients were uninsured. Throughout the state of Illinois over 40 per cent of those seeking services at community health centers are Medicaid eligible and health care centers are often the only medical support offered to homeless individuals.  

The first district in Illinois, which I have the honor and privilege to represent, has ten facilities as part of a statewide network of 250 primary health care delivery sites that will serve 850,000 patients this year. My Illinois colleague, Representative Danny Davis, who introduced this resolution, credits the health centers for contributing to the health and well being of minority communities by keeping children healthy and providing preventive health care so that parents and adults can remain employed.  

These centers have significantly increased the availability of preventive health care for minorities, migrant and homeless individuals and families.  I am glad to join my colleague in support of this resolution to recognize the efforts the community based organizations in providing these important services.