WASHINGTON – As 47 million Americans go without quality health care, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today released the following statement in observance of National Public Health Week, which runs April 7th through the 13th:

“As millions of Americans struggle everyday without access to quality health care, we pause this week to recognize the value of quality health care programs. Initiatives, ranging from effective childhood vaccination, to early screening for diseases, to ensuring Americans have access to critical treatment, all contribute to a healthy society.   

“Access to quality health care should be a basic right for all Americans, from the very young to our seniors. Investing in preventive care isn’t merely the right thing to do, it also makes financial sense. Emergency room care will only increase the strain on our broken health care system. National Public Health Week should serve as a reminder for all of us to redouble our efforts to fix our nation’s health care system.”