06-R 189

2006 -- H 7966

Enacted 04/05/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 5, 2006 AS "HEALTH CARE APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Costantino, Williams, Diaz, and Giannini

Date Introduced: April 05, 2006

     WHEREAS, Access to quality, affordable health care is critical to the well being of all

Rhode Islanders, to the vibrancy of our economy, and to the attractiveness of Rhode Island as a

place to live, work, and raise a family; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's community health centers provide affordable health care at

facilities in Block Island, Burrillville, Central Falls, Coventry, Cranston, East Providence,

Hopkinton, Johnston, Wakefield, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, South Kingstown, Tiverton,

Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket; and

     WHEREAS, In 2005, health centers treated over 100,000 patients, drawn from every city

and town in Rhode Island, and without regard to their ability to pay; and

     WHEREAS, Health centers provide centralized medical care for most of the children and

families enrolled in the RIte Care insurance program, as well as many families insured by Blue

Cross and United Healthcare; and

     WHEREAS, The number of uninsured Rhode Islanders treated at health centers has

grown steadily over the years to the point that approximately 30% of patients do not have any

insurance; and

     WHEREAS, Health centers play critical roles in increasing Rhode Islanders' access to

quality health care, in supporting preventative care, and reducing health disparities related to

socio-economic status; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 5, 2006 to be "Health Center Appreciation Day" in

the State of Rhode Island in recognition of the health centers' contribution to the health and

wellness of our state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all Health Centers in the State of Rhode Island.

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LC02978

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