07-R220

2007 -- H 6329

Enacted 04/26/07

H O U S 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: Representatives Naughton, Slater, Fellela, Picard, and McNamara

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 that 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

Cranston, Coventry and Warwick, Chad Brown Health Center, East Bay Community Action

Program of East Providence and Newport, Northwest 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 RIte Care, 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 and in supporting the goals of Healthy Rhode Island 2010 by providing

preventive care, and in reducing health disparities related to socioeconomic status; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives 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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LC02923

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