National Health Center Week, 2010

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Part IV

The President

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Proclamation 8545--National Health Center Week, 2010

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8545 of August 5, 2010

National Health Center Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's community health centers are a vital
component of our health care system, providing
underserved communities access to coordinated primary
and preventive care. During National Health Center
Week, we recognize the important work of community
health centers for their role in providing quality,
accessible, and affordable patient care as we strive to
build a health care system equipped for the 21st
century.

Today, community health centers serve nearly 19 million
patients across our Nation, and they are essential for
underserved communities and vulnerable populations.
They provide care to those who need it most, including
millions of Americans with no medical insurance and
whose illnesses might otherwise result in an unmet
medical need or emergency room visit. As comprehensive
wellness hubs, community health centers diagnose and
treat illness and injury, and emphasize preventive care
and wellness practices. Rooted in community-based and
patient-centered care, they also respond to the unique
needs of their local communities by conducting outreach
and education, ensuring patients can communicate with
their providers, and linking patients with social
services.

My Administration has made significant investments in
community health centers. Serving as an economic anchor
in many low-income and economically struggling
communities, community health centers are an integral
source of local employment and economic growth. The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has already
provided unprecedented investments in the construction
and renovation of community health centers so they can
expand their staff and facilities, adopt health
information technology systems, and meet their critical
care needs.

The reforms in the landmark new health care law, the
Affordable Care Act, also strengthen and build upon our
existing system of health care centers. This law
invests $11 billion in funding over the next 5 years,
enabling community health centers to serve nearly
double the number of patients currently receiving care,
regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
It also finances the construction of hundreds of new
community health centers, bringing high quality health
care, jobs, and economic benefits to countless
individuals and communities.

Community health centers are at the heart of a modern,
reformed health care system in America. We must
continue to invest in these centers and ensure that
comprehensive, culturally competent, and quality
primary health care services are accessible in every
community across our Nation.

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 8
through August 14, 2010, as National Health Center
Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate this week
by visiting their local community health center,
meeting local health center providers, and exploring
the programs they offer to keep their families healthy.

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