Bradley Supports Expanding Community Health Centers In New Hampshire
BRADLEY SUPPORTS EXPANDING COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Attends pre-opening celebration of the first community health center in the Lakes Region
(Laconia, NH) - First District Congressman Jeb Bradley reiterated his strong support for community health centers (CHCs) today at the pre-opening celebration of the new Health First Family Care Center in Laconia, the first CHC in the Lakes Region. CHCs are community-based clinics that deliver primary and preventative care to individuals who are either uninsured or have inadequate coverage. Over 90,000 patients sought care at one of 13 CHCs across the state last year. Bradley's visit coincides with National Community Health Center Week, which this year is the week of August 6th through the 12th.
"It was a pleasure to visit Laconia today and see the progress that Health First Family Care is making in the construction of a new community health center in downtown Laconia. This is great news for residents in the Lakes Region, who will soon be able to benefit from the numerous health services offered by a community health center," said Bradley. "Community health centers play an important role in lowering health care costs for all Americans by providing primary and preventative care, preventing the need to visit the most expensive delivery point in health care, the emergency room."
Bradley is an ardent supporter of improving access to CHCs across the state. A member of the Congressional CHC Caucus, Bradley has supported increasing federal funding for CHCs. Over the last five years, Congress has increased funding for CHCs by 48 percent, or $565 million. Bradley also secured an appropriation of $450,000 for Lamprey Health Care in Newmarket in 2004 and is working on a similar one for the Avis Goodwin Center in Dover.
Bradley has been recognized by the National Association of Community Health Centers with its 2006 "Superhero Award" for his strong support of CHCs as a Member of Congress. He has also been honored by the Bi-State Primary Care Association in New Hampshire as a "Champion of Community Health Centers."
http://www.house.gov/bradley/20060807_main.html