Letter to the Editor: Thanks to senators for backing health care clinics

Editor:

When we talk about health care, it’s important to remember that even though more Americans have health insurance coverage these days, millions of people still struggle to find a place to go for regular preventative care. A key part of the solutions lie in our nation’s community health centers which have provided quality, affordable care for 50 years.

Health centers like ours across the country save the U.S. health care system more than $24 billion every year in reduced overall costs from preventable hospitalizations and avoidable emergency room visits. Sustained federal investment is critical to our success and survival, and in the current budget environment, that’s not always possible.

Earlier this year, health centers barely averted a massive funding cut. Were it not for the leadership of U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines, hundreds of families in our community would have lost access to affordable health care services. Today we are grateful for their support and are using National Health Center Week, Aug. 9-15, to thank them for their hard work.

All too often we have been cynical about government and our leaders in office. Today, however, we are grateful because there are working families in our waiting rooms getting affordable care thanks to their vote.

Cindy Smith, CEO

Bullhook Community Health Center