Speech #870275655

This bill would give such assistance through grants to States. local communities. and nonprofit organizations. The States and local areas would retain the responsibility and the authority to plan and carry out the programs. The Federal Government would assist financially. provide leadership in finding solutions to migrant health problems. help to coordinate health services for migrants so as to eliminate gaps and avoid duplications. and promote interagency. interState and intraState planning to insure continuity of health services as families move from place to place. The bill authorizes an appropriation of up to $3 million for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1963. and for each of the 2 following fiscal years. Under the legislation. the PHS could make grants to help improve migrant health conditions. State or local health and welfare agencies. church groups. growers associations. medical societies and other qualified community groups would be eligible to apply for grants. Project grants could be used to pay part of the cost of establishing and operating family health service clinics and other special projects to improve health services for migrant families. In addition to familytype outpatient clinic services for preventive and curative care. projects to extend public health nursing services to migratory workers could be set up under the proposed legislation. Another type of project would provide consultation and aid to camp owners and employers. on methods of improving sanitary conditions in labor camps. in the fields. and at temporary rest stops en route between work locations. Programs to develop better coordination of migrant health servicesgeographically and agencywisewould result from the bill. Health education specially suited to the unique conditions of the migrant population would be another valuable type of project. Hospitalization would not be provided for. but we can expect that with better health care and preventive services. the necessity for hospital care would be greatly reduced. In conclusion. I should like to emphasize that there is a long and solid historic background for our acceptance of limited and appropriate Federal responsibility for the health of migrant agricultural workers. Over the last quarter of a century. many professional studies. recommendations. and demonstrations have pointed to this fact. This bill would provide the kind of effective assistance that has been shown to be necessary.