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107TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 179 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers are vital to many communities in the United States; Whereas there are more than 1,029 such health centers serv- ing nearly 12,000,000 people at 3,200 health delivery sites, located in all 50 States of the United States, the 2 •HCON 179 EH District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; Whereas such health centers have provided cost-effective, quality health care to poor and medically underserved people in the United States, including the working poor, the uninsured, and many high-risk and vulnerable popu- lations; Whereas such health centers help reduce health disparities, meet escalating health care needs, and provide a vital safety net, in the health care delivery system of the United States; Whereas such health centers provide care to 1 of every 9 un- insured Americans, 1 of every 8 low-income Americans, and 1 of every 10 rural Americans; Whereas the people to whom such health centers provide care would otherwise lack access to health care; Whereas such health centers and other innovative programs in primary and preventive care serve 600,000 homeless persons and more than 650,000 farm workers in the United States; Whereas such health centers make health care responsive and cost-effective by integrating the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach, patient education, translation, and other enabling support services; Whereas such health centers increase the use of preventive health services, including immunizations, pap smears, mammograms, and glaucoma screenings; Whereas in communities served by such health centers, infant mortality rates have decreased between 10 and 40 per- cent; 3 •HCON 179 EH Whereas such health centers are built through community initiative; Whereas Federal grants assist participating communities in finding partners and recruiting doctors and other health professionals; Whereas Federal grants constitute, on average, 28 percent of the annual budget of such health centers, with the re- mainder provided by State and local governments, medi- care, medicaid, private contributions, private insurance, and patient fees; Whereas such health centers are community-oriented and pa- tient-focused; Whereas such health centers tailor their services to fit the special needs and priorities of communities, working to- gether with schools, businesses, churches, community or- ganizations, foundations, and State and local govern- ments; Whereas such health centers contribute to the health and well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy and in school and helping adults remain healthy and productive; Whereas such health centers encourage citizen participation and provide jobs for 50,000 community residents; and Whereas the establishment of a National Community Health Center Week for the week beginning August 19, 2001, would raise awareness of the health services provided by such health centers: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 2 4 •HCON 179 EH (1) there should be established a National Com- 1 munity Health Center Week to raise awareness of 2 health services provided by community, migrant, 3 public housing, and homeless health centers; and 4 (2) the President should issue a proclamation 5 calling on the people of the United States and inter- 6 ested organizations to observe such a week with ap- 7 propriate programs and activities. 8 Passed the House of Representatives August 2, 2001. Attest: Clerk. 107TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 179 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the es- tablishment of a National Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and home- less health centers.