Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, August 2, 2004

ST. LOUIS, MO - Stressing the critical role of community health centers during a visit to the People's Health Center in St. Louis today, U.S. Senator Kit Bond vowed to continue his fight to double the number of patients served by community health centers by 2006.

"Thousands of children and families have lived healthier, more productive lives because they had access to a community health center," said Bond, the recipient of the 2004 "Distinguished Community Health Champion" award from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). "We need to make sure these vital services are within the reach of every Missouri family that needs them."

The national award honors Bond's work as a champion of health care for the poor and uninsured, citing his role as a key member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and his bipartisan approach to rallying support for community health centers on Capitol Hill.

"Senator Bond has always shown tremendous leadership for America's health centers," said NACHC President Tom Van Coverden. "He truly is a champion for all underserved people across the country and we would not be in the position we are today without his strong and consistent leadership."

In 2001, Bond worked to start the REACH Initiative to ensure that more people in Missouri and nationwide can receive quality care at health centers. Since the REACH Initiative was launched, federal funding for health centers has increased by almost $600 million to serve four million more patients and open hundreds of facilities nationwide.

In Missouri, Bond’s REACH Initiative has increased federal funding for Missouri health centers by almost 30%, medical visits at health centers have increased by almost 17%, dental visits have increased by over 70% and 15 new access points for patients across Missouri have opened their doors, a 19% increase.

To children and families in Missouri and across the country this money has made a real difference, Bond said.

“A health center means that an uninsured, expectant mother will have a place to go for prenatal care," said Bond. "It means that a young couple with nowhere else to go will have a place to get their infant daughter immunized. A health center means that a 6 year-old boy has a place to go for regular checkups to stay healthy and keep him out of the emergency room.”