For immediate release  February 14, 2003 Contact: Peter Karafotas  202-225-3611   Kildee Secures $200,000 Earmark for  Hamilton Community Health Network   Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Hamilton Community Health Network would receive $200,000 in funding from the FY 2003 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill.  Kildee’s formal appropriations request was instrumental in helping to secure these funds.  The Hamilton Community Health Network will use this earmark to replace and upgrade medical and dental equipment.  Within the past year, Congressman Kildee has helped secure nearly $700,000 in grants and appropriations for the Hamilton Community Health Network. “The services provided by the Hamilton Family Health Centers are irreplaceable because they often provide the only access to health care for many residents in my district,” said Kildee. “This earmark will effectively help save lives and protect public health by providing area residents with access to the latest medical technology and equipment.” Community health centers serve all people regardless of their ability to pay and target their services in areas where people face barriers to accessing high quality, competent care.  The primary objective of these community health centers is to provide quality health care services to those people without health insurance or with inadequate coverage. Through extensive partnerships with local providers, hospitals, and managed care organizations, health centers build local systems of care that increase residents’ access to health services.   ###