July 27, 2009

U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin visits Chicago Family Health Center

On Tuesday, August 11, 2009, Chicago Family Health Center (CFHC) welcomed U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin to its South Chicago Center for a round table discussion on Health Care reform and to tour our South Chicago facility. The visit coincided with National Health Center Week 2009 (August 9-15, 2009).

The theme of the week, “Where Access and Quality Care Begin,” highlighted health centers’ roles as “health care homes” for some 18 million people in America, providing primary and preventive care and a range of services. Chicago Family Health Center serves more than 19,600 patients in South and Southeast communities of Chicago each year — a number that is increasing due to layoffs and cutbacks during the economic downturn. Health center patients pay on an income-based sliding fee scale; no one is turned away, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

For many years, Sen. Durbin was the lead sponsor of resolutions to proclaim National Health Center Week, and has celebrated the Week with numerous health centers in his home state of Illinois. Sen. Durbin championed an amendment to impose a moratorium on proposed CMS regulations that would have significantly decreased funds to safety net providers across the county; this amendment protected critical health care services provided by health care organizations that serve all patients regardless of ability to pay.

The spotlight for community health centers comes at a time when the American Recovery or Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or the federal economic stimulus bill, has made increased access to care possible. Community Health Centers were among the first recipients of stimulus funding; $338 million in so-called Increased Demand for Services grants will enable health centers to provide quality care to an additional 2.1 million patients over the next two years.

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For more information, call Kathryn L. McLain at (773) 768-5000, extension 1144.