Speech #990158642

I rise in support of H.R. 2418. Health Services Amendments Acts of 1985. This legislation would authorize $455 million in fiscal year 1986. $493 million in fiscal year 1987 and $533 million in fiscal year 1988 for the Community Health Centers and Migrant Health Programs. including $405 million in fiscal year 1986. $437 million in fiscal year 1987. and $472 million in fiscal year 1988 for the Community Health Centers Program and $50 million in fiscal year 1988 for the Migrant Health Program. A total of $1 million in each fiscal year 1986 through 1988 would be authorized for a new 3year program of grants to States for the control of plague. The Community Health Centers Program provides Federal grants to public or private nonprofit entities for delivery of primary health care services to "medically underserved" communities. The Migrant Health Centers Program provides similar Federal grants for delivery of primary care services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The Community and Migrant Health Centers are the primary Federal programs to assure that people in medically underserved population groups will receive health care. An estimated 5.2 million people. 80 percent of whom are minorities and 40 percent of whom are children under 18. are served by the Community Health Centers Program. Over 500.000 mirgant and seasonal farmworkers are served by the Migrant Health Centers. Sixty percent of those using community health centers are poor and 80 percent of those using migrant centers are poor. In the District of Columbia these programs are meeting a significant and compelling need. If we care about those who are medically underserved. if we are true to the ideals we espouse. if we are rational in our understanding of the medical and health benefits that will accrue from this very modest legislation. we should support the Health Services Amendments Act of 1985.