Edolphus Towns: “I rise to day to urge my colleagues to support Community, Migrant and Homeless Health Centers and other community-based…”

“I rise to day to urge my colleagues to support Community, Migrant and Homeless Health Centers and other community-based providers that comprise successful models for health care delivery across this Nation. Community health centers benefit the residents and the areas where they are located in many ways. First, with the partnerships between business, government and the people, community residents have a greater sense of control over the quality of health care and the means of gaining health care. This is particularly shown in the health centers that are governed by consumer boards. These boards, where more than half of the board members are patients, represent the community served and give local residents a voice regarding the programs and center's services. With community representation on these boards, responsiveness is no longer a concern--who best knows what services communities need than the people who reside in the community? Second, health centers service communities which are traditionally and chronically underserved. Often, the inner cities, migrant farmworker communities, and isolated rural areas benefit greatly from these health care services. These often forgotten populations also now have access to quality managed care; health centers provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care. All patients, especially women with their particular health care concerns, can look forward to up-to-date yearly medical exams.”