Call to Action

Get Involved!

The House Appropriations Labor, Health & Human Services Subcommittee met on June 9th to determine its FY 2006 funding levels for all Health and Human Services programs, including the Health Center Program.

At the meeting, the House Labor, HHS Appropriations Subcommittee passed its bill for FY06 recommending a $100 million increase for Health Centers. Included as part of the recommendation was $26 million for the President's county-based initiative, and since HRSA has already spent $55 million on the last round of New Access Points from FY06, the total left for expansions in FY06 would be $19 million. No provision for base grant adjustments was included in the House bill.

There is still time to dramatically improve the funding available for FY06 as the process continues, but it will take an even greater and more intense effort from Health Centers around the nation like Tri-City Health Center. I would like to thank those of you who acted and wrote to your representative. I anticipate more advocacy opportunities in the future. Things will be heating up around these budget issues, so now more than ever, you can make a difference by making your voice heard in Washington.

Write and let your Senator or Representative what you think:

Senator Barbara Boxer
Address: 112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Phone: (415) 403-0100 (San Francisco Office)
(202) 224-3553 (Washington DC Office)
www.boxer.senate.gov/contact

Senator Diane Feinstein
Address: 331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Phone: (415) 393-0707 (San Francisco Office)
(202) 224-3841 (Washington DC Office)
www.feinstein.senate.gov/contact

House of Representatives

Fortney Pete Stark
39300 Civic Center Dr., Suite 220
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 494-1388
petemail@stark.house.gov

If you are in the Livermore or Pleasanton, your representative is

Ellen Touscher
2121 North California Blvd., Suite 555
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 932-8899
http://www.house.gov/tauscher/IMA/get_address.php

A press statement from Dan Hawkins on the markup is attached below and is also available at http://www.nachc.com .

Statement of Dan Hawkins,
Vice President for Federal, State, and Public Affairs
On Labor HHS Markup

Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education recommended a $100 million increase for the Health Centers program. Unfortunately, $55 million has already been committed by HRSA, and the Subcommittee earmarked another $26 million for the President's newest Health Center initiative. Thus leaving $19 million to complete the current initiative and help existing centers meet the rising cost of delivering care. For a $1.8 billion program, this represents a 1 percent increase for FY2006.

Despite overwhelming bipartisan support, tremendous national interest and inclusion in last year's Republican platform, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services, and Education appears to have ignored President Bush's call to expand Health Centers to meet the significant need of millions of Americans to have access to health care. Unless the House bill is amended, America's Health Centers will have to rely on the Senate and the commitment of the President to respond to the uninsured crisis in our country. The House recommendation represents the smallest percentage increase in nearly a decade. This is unfortunate given the growing need and the increasing cost of providing care at all health providers. In the legislation's current form, 2 million Americans will be left with no place to turn for essential care and will be left out in the cold.

We look forward to working with our friends in the House and Senate to improve this bill, and to meet all the President's goals for our program