I am pleased today to introduce. with my colleague Mr. WAXMAN. the Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1995. This legislation reduces administrative costs. simplifies and reduces paperwork. and lets health services programs locus more efleclively on what they really are aboutproviding health care for the poor and medically needy. migrant farmworkers and their families. homeless people. and individuals who live in public housing. Without reducing the emphasis ..urrently placed on any important aspects of health care. this bill allows programs that currently are authorized separately to consolidate. coordinate their efforts. and work as a real health care team to ensure better health and wellbeing for some of our most needy and fragile citizens. Today. health centers provide care and give hope for a better life to approximately 7.7 million of our citizens. They do Ihis efficiently. cost effectively. and with a deep understanding and true dedication to the unique needs of the diverse and vulnerable populations they serve. The bill consolidates into a single legislative authority. authorities for community health centers. migrant health centers. health services for the homeless. and health services lor residents of public housing. It streamlines the statutory definition of basic and required health services for these centers. replaces detailed application requirements by a general requirement that applicants identify their service populations. describe Ihe scope of services. and show how service needs will be met. and reduces the number of grant applications and awards while maintaining the level of services provided by these centers and establishing an Incentive award grant program for grantees wilh high or greatly improved performance. This is a good bill. and I commend it to my colleagues.