National Health Center Week, 2012

Proclamation 8847 of August 6, 2012

National Health Center Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For nearly half a century, health centers have helped
make primary care services available and affordable for
millions of Americans. From coast to coast, they
deliver critical support for patients by not only
providing treatment for those in need, but also
emphasizing preventive care that helps people lead
healthier lives. During National Health Center Week, we
recognize the professionals who power our Nation's
health centers and renew our support for these
essential health care resources.

Health centers play a key role in bringing vital health
care services to 20 million Americans from all walks of
life. They lift up rural and urban neighborhoods alike,
extending community-based, patient-directed care to
those who need it most. Through their work, health
centers strengthen our health care system by helping
reduce emergency room visits and easing health care
burdens for families across America.

My Administration is working to empower health centers
with the resources they need to provide comprehensive,
high-quality care for more individuals. Thanks
primarily to the Affordable Care Act and the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, health centers are
serving nearly 3 million additional patients. Last
year, my Administration launched an initiative to
support 500 health centers in 44 States as they seek to
expand their ability to better coordinate patient care.
This May, my Administration expanded on that progress
by announcing Affordable Care Act funding that will
support hundreds of renovation and construction
projects at health centers nationwide.

As we continue to build a health care system ready to
meet patients' needs today and tomorrow, health centers
will remain an integral part of our communities and our
country. This week, we celebrate their many
contributions to our public health, and to providing
more Americans with accessible, affordable health care.

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 5
through August 11, 2012, 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
sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.