The following is a statement from Dan Hawkins, vice president for federal, state and public affairs at NACHC, in response to the President's State of the Union Address.
"At a time when Americans face an increasingly fragmented health care landscape with diminishing choices, we support solutions that preserve and expand health coverage opportunities for all.
The board zeroes in on the health needs of the community, and strives to meet those needs by offering a range of affordable services -- primary and preventive medical care, dental care, counseling, management of chronic conditions.
While conventional wisdom may hold that putting the patients in charge might drive up the cost of health care, the results on the front lines of public health have been precisely the opposite.
"Health centers stand ready to continue their critical role in protecting public health.
Hurricane Katrina and the fears of a possible Avian flu pandemic exposed the weak links in a coordinated response to public health needs that may span several states.
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