07-R214
2007 -- S 0954
Enacted 04/26/07
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL 26,
2007 AS "HEALTH CENTERS RECOGNITION DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Senators
Perry, Goodwin, Gallo, Miller, and Sosnowski
Date Introduced: April 26,
2007
WHEREAS,
Access to quality, affordable health care is critical to the well-being of all
Rhode
Islanders, to the vibrancy of our economy, and to the attractiveness of Rhode
Island as a
place
to live, work and raise a family; and
WHEREAS,
Rhode Island's community health centers provide affordable health care at
Bayside
Family Healthcare in North Kingstown, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care
of
Central
Falls and Pawtucket, Block Island Health Services, CCAP/Family Health Services
of
Coventry,
Cranston and Warwick, Chad Brown Health Center, East Bay Community Action
Program
of East Providence and Newport Health Center, Providence Community Health
Centers,
Thundermist
Health Center of Woonsocket, Wakefield and West Warwick, Tri-Town Health
Center
in Johnston and Wood River Health Services in Hope Valley; and
WHEREAS,
In 2006 the health centers provided medical and dental care for over
112,000
patients, drawn from every city and town in Rhode Island, and without regard to
their
ability
to pay with an additional 23,000 people receiving access to behavioral health
and WIC;
and
WHEREAS,
The number of uninsured Rhode Islanders that health centers treat has
grown
by nearly 70% in the past five years to over 33,000 people; a statewide average
of 30% of
the
health center patients are uninsured for one or more visits a year; and
WHEREAS,
Health centers are the largest primary care network providing a medical
home
for children and families enrolled in the RIte Care insurance program, as well
as many
families
insured through RIte Share and with commercial insurance; and
WHEREAS,
Health centers play a critical role in increasing Rhode Islanders' access to
quality
health care, in supporting the goals of Healthy Rhode Island 2010 by providing
preventive
care,
and reducing health disparities related to socio-economic status; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
declares April 26, 2007 as "Health Centers Recognition Day" in the
State of Rhode Island
in
appreciation of the tremendous care health centers provide to their patients
and specifically
their
uninsured patients which significantly contributes to the health and wellness
of our state;
and
be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Community Health
Centers.
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LC02929
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