National Health Center Week, 2015

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9306 of August 7, 2015

National Health Center Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For a half century, health centers have delivered
comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective primary
health care to patients regardless of their ability to
pay. This week, let us recognize the role of health
centers and thank the tireless and dedicated center
staff who work long hours to provide fundamental
services to those who need them most.

Serving nearly 23 million patients, health centers are
a vital source of primary care in communities across
America. These centers also provide patients with
crucial information on the importance of regular
checkups and screenings, which encourage timely care
and decrease the need for emergency treatment. By
providing health insurance enrollment assistance to
millions of individuals, they are playing a significant
role in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
This historic law has supported the operation,
expansion, and construction of health centers across
our Nation through the establishment of the Community
Health Center Fund. Today, nearly 1,300 health centers
operate approximately 9,000 service delivery sites that
provide care to people in every State, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the
Pacific Basin. I encourage those in need of care to use
the ``Find a Health Center'' tool at www.HRSA.gov.

Today, America's health centers have become a critical
element of a health system that reflects the belief
that all people deserve access to essential medical
services, regardless of who they are or where they
live. An idea born from the fight for justice and civil
rights, health centers--as well as the committed
professionals who support them--carry forward the
ideals fought for at a transformational time in our
Nation's history. Helping to ensure more Americans have
the security and peace of mind that comes with quality,
affordable care, health centers continue to be
instrumental in safeguarding the promise of equality
and opportunity for all.

This week, as we recognize the 50-year anniversary of
the first community health centers being established in
America, let us remember that health care is not a
privilege for the few among us who can afford it, but a
right for all Americans--and let us recognize the vital
role health centers across our country play in carrying
us toward greater health for our people.

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 9
through August 15, 2015, 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
seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and fortieth.