Mr. Chairman. in times of difficult spending decisions. I am pleased to see that the Subcommittee on LaborHealth and Human ServicesEducation included nearly $27.5 million more than last year for community and migrant health centers. These are clearly worthwhile and needed programs. These health centers provide access. through a sliding fee schedule. to comprehensive primary healthcare services for atrisk populations who live In rural and underserved urban areas. Nationwide. over 6 million lowincome and uninsured individuals are expected to receive essential medical services in these centers this fiscal year. North Dakotans are in need of this type of care. and I am hopeful that with this years funding increase. my States medically vulnerable populations will soon benefit from these programs. Currently. none of the 1.829 community and migrant health centers are located in North Dakota. Community and migrant health centers play a vital role In our health care delivery system by expanding access to appropriate. quality primary care in costeffective settings. They provide the means to move beyond the reliance on hospital emergency departments for basic careor worse yetgoing without care. If I were to single out the most Important role these centers play. it would be in providing prenatal care to some of our most atrisk women.