Speech #930298012

We have received the broadest possible support for the measure. and are confident we can return from conference with the House with a mutually agreeable bill by September 30. Mr. President. the legislation before us today expands and reforms the Federal Migrant Health Act. providing new mechanisms to improve the health care of the Nations migrant and seasonal farmworkers. It also responds to the need to assist persons of limiting Englishspeaking ability to obtain health services under all Federal programs. The bill extends the authorizations for grants to operate migrant health centers for 4 years and provides a separate annual authorization for hospitalization. Our testimony once again demonstrated the basic need for hospital services as part of the comprehensive health program. The legislation also provides assistance to groups to plan for the development and operation of migrant health centers in areas of greatest need across the country. The current migrant health program still offers services to barely 10 percent of the population and. in many of those cases. the services provided are extremely limited. Yet the record of need for adequate health services for migrants is unquestioned. The infant mortality rate for migrants is 25 percent higher than the national average. Mortality rates for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases are 21/2 times the national average and for influenza and pneumonia. the rate is 20 times higher for migrants than for the general population. Perhaps one of the most telling statistics of the level of care and general living conditions facing the Nations migrants is that migrant births occur outside hospitals nine times the national average. The migrants continue to be the Nations most ignored citizens. They endure conditions that are both inhumane and unacceptable in America in 1974. Yet. migrants and seasonal farmworkers continue to play a vital role in the agriculture system of this Nation. Without them. the fruits and vegetables that we are accustomed to would never be planted and never be picked. I believe this bill is a partial step toward meeting their health needs and to improving their opportunity to live in dignity. In addition. the legislation also Includes amendments to insure that the health services provided by community health centers. migrant health centers. and community mental health centers will reach the limited Englishspeaking population in their regions. The provisions of the bill would require the development of programs to meet their language and cultural needs. Such programs would include bilingual services and the employment of persons sensitive both to the culture and language of the population being served. Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the portion of the committee report on the migrant health program be printed in the RECORD to further detail the history of the migrant health program and the specific provisions of the legislation we have approved.