National Health Center Week, 2016

Proclamation 9473 of August 5, 2016

National Health Center Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Across America, community health centers offer
affordable, high-quality health care to people
regardless of their financial status. For more than 50
years, underserved communities and vulnerable
populations have relied on the primary and preventive
care options these centers provide. During National
Health Center Week, we reflect on the important role
that health centers have played in delivering the
comprehensive care all people deserve.

With a strong focus on community-based and patient-
centered care, health centers offer more than just
treatment for illnesses and injuries; through an
emphasis on education and prevention, they promote
wellness and help people lead healthier lives. Anyone
seeking care can locate their nearest community health
center by using the ``Find a Health Center'' tool at
www.HRSA.gov. Health centers have also played an
important part in implementing the Affordable Care Act
(ACA). In addition to giving 20 million more Americans
the peace of mind of having quality, affordable health
insurance, the ACA has enabled health centers to add
more than 950 new service delivery sites across our
country. Today, nearly 1,400 health centers operate
approximately 9,800 service delivery sites and provide
care for nearly 23 million patients.

Health centers are an important part of our Nation's
health care system, and my Administration remains
committed to supporting these facilities and the care
they deliver. This year, we invested $94 million to
help health centers treat people suffering from
substance use disorders--including prescription opioid
abuse and heroin use. We have also made new investments
to build and renovate health center facilities across
our country to help serve more patients and increase
availability of oral health services. And because
America's health centers are uniquely positioned to
address certain public health challenges, we have
increased funding to expand critical services in
communities that need them most. We have made key
investments to help health centers respond to the water
crisis in Flint, Michigan, and combat the growing
threat from the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

This week, let us thank the dedicated professionals in
our community health centers who provide quality care
at affordable prices. Let us build on their efforts to
improve the well-being of our people and together
continue working to bring about a stronger, healthier
Nation for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim the week of August 7
through August 13, 2016, as National Health Center
Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate this week
by visiting their local health center, meeting health
center providers, and exploring the programs they offer
to help keep families healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-first.