Providing quality, affordable medical care is essential to the health and development of southern West Virginia and is one of the most important issues facing our Nation today. 

This year, as we mark National Health Center Week (August 10-16), there are 56 million people in this country – nearly one in five Americans – without access to primary health care.  Sadly, as in many rural parts of West Virginia, many of these people have health insurance, but no convenient place to go for care.  Thankfully, it does not have to be that way.

There are 6,300 health centers in urban and rural communities all across the United States and its territories.  They care for one out of every seven uninsured individuals, one out of every nine Medicaid beneficiaries, and one out of every nine rural Americans.

Centers such as these save our Nation’s health care system up to $17.6 billion each year by providing people with access to local and affordable health care that helps them stay healthy and out of hospitals.

One of the most amazing and important aspects of community health centers is their involvement with the community.  Each center tailors its services to best meet the needs and priorities of their community, encouraging citizens to become active participants in their communities' health care decisions.

The focus of this year’s National Health Center Week is “Honoring Our Health Care Heroes” who work in our Nation’s community health centers in traditionally underserved areas.

In southern West Virginia, the Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic in Williamsburg has provided unwavering medical care and services to the people of southern West Virginia.  I recently attended their 30th Anniversary celebration and was impressed by their hard work and dedication to the community. 

The Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic’s health care “heroes,” their doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, have committed themselves to serving their community by expanding the reach of primary care and preventive health services in the area.

National Health Center Week is a time set aside by Congress each year to recognize the work of health centers in West Virginia and across the Nation.  It is also a time to spread the message that America needs to invest in an accessible and affordable community health system that can reduce disparities, improve health, and achieve cost savings in health and prevention.

With increasing premiums, higher costs of living, and skyrocketing drug prices, now, more than ever, it is important that all citizens have access to quality medical care that is both reliable and affordable. 

In Congress, I remain committed to working with our Nation’s leaders to ensure that modern, high-quality health care services are available to all West Virginians, especially our children, our seniors, and our rural residents, who need them most.

I commend the Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic and all of West Virginia’s Community Health Clinics during this National Health Center Week and look forward to expanding our partnership of care and service for the people of southern West Virginia.