Congressman Charles Bass

April 9, 2012

WASHINGTON – Members of the Bi-State Primary Care Association recently honored Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) with their 'Community Health Defender Award' for his support of community health centers during a trip to Capitol Hill.

Bass said:

"I'm honored to be recognized by the Bi-State Primary Care Association, but the Association and its members across the state are the ones most deserving of our thanks for the hard work they do in providing critical health care services to under- and uninsured individuals and families. Community health centers play a vital role in controlling health care costs for everyone, and we're fortunate to have more than 20 centers across the Granite State serving the needs of local communities. Having toured many of these centers and met with staff and volunteers, I will continue working to ensure Congress supports these crucial programs."

Tess Stack Kuenning, CNS, MS, RN, the Executive Director of Bi-State Primary Care Association, said, "Congressman Bass has been an avid supporter of Community Health Centers throughout his political career. Because of the affordable comprehensive quality care they provide to our most vulnerable populations across the state, Congressman Bass made them a centerpiece of his health care priorities. We are extremely grateful for his unwavering support."

Bass has long been a supporter of community health centers as a means to reduce health care costs by providing urgent and primary care to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. Bass signed a letter last month to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee asking the Committee to fund the Health Centers program at $3.1 billion during the Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations process. Bass is also a member of the Congressional Community Health Center Caucus.

Bi-State Primary Care Association is a nonprofit organization that works with federal, state, and regional health policy organizations, foundations, and payers to develop strategies, policies, and programs that provide and support community-based primary and preventative health care services in medically under-served areas in New Hampshire and Vermont.



Congressman Charles F. Bass was recently honored by the Bi-State Primary Care Association with their 'Community Health Defender Award' for his support of community health centers across New Hampshire. From left to right: Richard Cotter of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services; Dawn McKinney of the National Association of Community Health Centers; Edward Shanshala II, CEO, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services; Ann Peters, CEO, Lamprey Health Care; Jonathan Brown of Indian Stream Health Center; Bass; Tess Stack Kuenning, Executive Director, Bi-State Primary Care Association; and Sean Patrick Tester of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services.

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