Charles Norwood: “I rise to support the Community Health Center Reauthorization. Mr. Speaker, we are approaching 1,000 community health…”

“I rise to support the Community Health Center Reauthorization. Mr. Speaker, we are approaching 1,000 community health centers with 3,600 sites serving over 13 million Americans. There are over 80 of these sites in northeast Georgia alone, in my district and in Chairman Deal's district. They operate in rural communities where health services are either scarce, or, in some cases, nonexistent. They help keep our poor out of expensive emergency rooms. With 25 percent of our population living in rural areas, only 10 percent of our physicians practice there. Rural Americans, like many folks in my district, are more likely to live below the poverty level and therefore be uninsured. Health centers are Medicaid and Medicare providers, guaranteeing access for much of our elderly. While health care costs have risen, health centers have been kept theirs well under those of other providers. Patients of health centers are generally healthier, use emergency rooms less and save money. In Georgia, they save the State $13.4 million each year in Medicaid costs alone. Community health centers are a good deal for poor Americans and taxpayers. I have been an enthusiastic supporter of this program, and I am glad the President has supported the expansion of health centers in 200 new communities. Mr. Speaker, the least expensive way possible to provide health care is to provide the best possible treatment up front.…”