For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 16, 2002

National Health Center Week, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

America's community health centers are a vital part of our healthcare safety net, providing primary care services to uninsured, low-income families and individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

Community health centers ensure that all citizens have access to medical treatment and preventative care. Each year, community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers serve more than 12 million citizens at over 3,300 delivery sites throughout urban and rural communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. These centers care for 1 of every 5 low-income children and 1 of every 12 rural residents. By working together with schools, businesses, churches, community organizations, foundations, and State and local governments, these health centers strive to meet the special needs and priorities of communities and to improve the health and well-being of countless families and individuals.

Health centers offer responsive and cost-effective health care that includes comprehensive primary and preventive services; prenatal and postpartum care; patient education, case management, and outreach; translation and other support services. My Administration is committed to increasing Federal support of healthcare centers. Through my Community and Migrant Health Centers Initiative we are working to double the number of patients served in these centers, and create 1,200 new and expanded health center sites over 5 years.

With the observance of National Health Center Week, we recognize the important role and the invaluable contributions of America's health centers, their staff, board members, and all those responsible for their success. During National Health Center week, I join in encouraging all Americans to celebrate the importance of health centers to our communities by participating in health fairs and screenings, blood drives, immunizations, and open house events.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 18 through 24, 2002, as National Health Center Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this week with appropriate activities and programs in order to raise their awareness of the importance and variety of services provided by America's health centers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Printer-Friendly Version

Email this page to a friend

Issues Economy Iraq Education National Security Homeland Security More Issues En Español   |   News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations Executive Orders Radio      |   News by Date   |   September 2004   |   August 2004   |   July 2004   |   June 2004   |   May 2004   |   April 2004   |   March 2004   |   February 2004   |   January 2004   |   December 2003   |   November 2003   |   October 2003   |   September 2003   |   August 2003   |   July 2003   |   June 2003   |   May 2003   |   April 2003   |   March 2003   |   February 2003   |   January 2003   |   December 2002   |   November 2002   |   October 2002   |   September 2002   |   August 2002   |   July 2002   |   June 2002   |   May 2002   |   April 2002   |   March 2002   |   February 2002   |   January 2002   |   December 2001   |   November 2001   |   October 2001   |   September 2001   |   August 2001   |   July 2001   |   June 2001   |   May 2001   |   April 2001   |   March 2001   |   February 2001   |   January 2001   |   Appointments Nominations Application