National Health Center Week

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, for over 50 years, community health centers have provided quality and affordable health care to many of our nation’s communities, demonstrating that locally governed health care can improve lives while lowering costs.

WHEREAS, what began as a small demonstration project in two states has grown into the country’s largest primary care network, with health centers now serving as the health care home for over 23 million Americans through more than 9,000 delivery sites across the nation. One in every 14 people living in the United States looks to a community health center for their care.

WHEREAS, health centers provide high quality, cost effective, and accessible primary and preventive care, including integrated medical, oral, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy services, to all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

WHEREAS, health centers in Alabama serve as the health home for over 339,000 Alabamians through 129 delivery sites across the state; health centers also serve as critical economic engines helping to power local economies.

WHEREAS, the health center model continues to prove an effective means of reducing healthcare disparities and overcoming barriers to healthcare access, including geography, income and insurance status, and in doing so, improves health care outcomes and reduces health care system costs.

WHEREAS, health centers save the entire health system approximately $24 billion annually by managing chronic conditions and keeping patients out of costlier health care settings, like hospital emergency rooms.

WHEREAS, National Health Center Week offers the opportunity to recognize Alabama’s Health Centers, their dedicated staff, board members, and all those responsible for their continued success and growth since the first health centers opened their doors more than 50 years ago. During this National Health Center Week, we celebrate the legacy of Alabama’s Health Centers and their vital role in shaping the future of America’s health care system.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, do hereby proclaim August 7^th, through August 13^th, 2016, as

National Health Center Week

I encourage every citizen to visit their local health center and celebrate the important partnership between Alabama’s health centers and the communities they serve.

Given under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 27^th day of July 2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor