Walorski Marks National Health Center Week with Bipartisan House Resolution

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today marked the start of National Health Center Week after leading a bipartisan House resolution to celebrate the nation's health centers, which have been on the front lines of responding to COVID-19, particularly in underserved communities.

Walorski and U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.) last week led a bipartisan group of 77 members of Congress in introducing a resolution marking August 9th--15th as National Health Center Week.

"With our country facing an unprecedented public health crisis, Americans in rural and underserved areas depend on community health centers more than ever before," Congresswoman Walorski said. "Community health centers provide high-quality, affordable care to more than 29 million patients across the country and ensure Americans have access to the primary and preventative services they need. I'm grateful to all the dedicated health care workers who serve Hoosiers in our communities, and I'm proud to support National Health Center Week to recognize the essential role they play."

"Community health centers such as Mt. Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and HRHCare in my district have been at the frontlines of helping respond to the coronavirus pandemic," Congressman Engel said. "But these centers have long-provided exceptional care, often without much credit or fanfare. This resolution will help bring awareness to the incredible public health work they're doing to keep our communities safe and healthy."

"We are grateful to Representatives Engel and Walorski for introducing this resolution in support of National Health Center Week, a weeklong celebration of our nation's Community Health Centers that runs from August 9 -15," said Steve Carey, Chief Strategy Officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). "We look forward to honoring the work of the 1,400 health centers and their staff who care for nearly 30 million individuals nationwide on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We greatly appreciate the leadership of Representatives Engel and Walorski and the support of many members of Congress who cosigned this resolution."

On May 21, 2020, Representatives Walorski and Engel led over 150 House Members on a bipartisan letter to Alex M. Azar, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, urging more funding for community health centers to support their efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

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