Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to call out our Republican colleagues for still having left community health centers falling off a funding cliff for this year. Long-term funding for community health centers expired last September 30. These health centers serve more than 25 million patients in all States in this Union and U.S. territories and employ over 50,000 professionals in the health field nationwide. In Ohio, more than 85 percent of health center patients fall below 200 percent of the poverty line--the poorest of the poor. In 2015, Ohio health centers served over 600,000 patients--over half a million. Don't our Republican colleagues understand an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Community health centers remain the Nation's largest source of primary, comprehensive care for medically underserved populations. They are fundamental to life in our communities and neighborhoods, whether they be urban, rural, or small town. In 2015, America celebrated 50 years of the success of community health centers. This Congress and its Republican majority should not continue to let our constituents down who rely so heavily upon these health centers in life-and-death situations. ____________________”