Community Health Centers Offer Critical Care
The week of August 7th has been designated as "National Health Center Week" to raise awareness of the invaluable services provided by health centers. Community health centers are non-profit health care facilities that offer a wide range of primary care services to low-income and medically underserved communities, regardless of a patients' ability to pay. By expanding access to community health centers, we can ensure that more individuals are receiving the medical care that they need.
The U.S. health care system is experiencing serious problems that are driving more and more Americans into the ranks of the uninsured. People without health insurance are less likely to seek care when they need it, and to forgo basic services such as periodic check-ups and preventive services. Community health centers help fill the gap by offering cost-effective, high-quality health care to the nation's poor and medically underserved – including those who are uninsured.
There are more than 1,000 health care centers in the U.S. that serve more than 15 million people in over 3,600 communities. I have been a strong supporter of increased funding for such centers. Federal grants, on average, contribute 25 percent of a health center's budget, with the remainder provided by State and local governments, Medicare, Medicaid, private contributions, private insurance, and patient fees. These centers truly contribute to the overall well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy and in school and helping adults remain productive and on the job.
One of the most encouraging results of the work done by health centers is that the communities they serve have seen a reduction in infant mortality rates in the past four years. These centers integrate the delivery of primary care with such services as aggressive outreach, patient education, transportation, translation, and other support services.
I am pleased that Congress and the President have supported efforts to expand the network of community health centers to see that this vital safety net is made available to more people living in rural and underserved communities.
I have supported a number of other bills to ensure that Mainers have access to quality health care services. For example, I have introduced the "Access to Affordable Health Care Act," which would expand access to quality, affordable health care to millions more Americans through a combination of tax incentives and public and private programs. This bill includes seven goals: expanding access to affordable health care for small businesses; making health insurance more affordable for individuals and families purchasing coverage on their own; strengthening the health care safety net for those without coverage; expanding access to care in rural and underserved areas; increasing access to affordable long-term care; promoting healthier lifestyles; and providing more equitable Medicare payments to providers.
One of my top priorities in the Senate has been to expand access to affordable health care. Maine is in the midst of a growing health insurance crisis, with insurance premiums rising at alarming rates. That is why community health centers are even more vital to our nation's health care system. I will continue my commitment to ensuring that these health centers get the federal assistance they need and deserve.
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