FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amy Simmons 301/347-0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amy Simmons 301/347-0400

«Title»«Last_Name»Earns National Award

for Community Health Care

Top Award Honors Lawmaker Who Championed Investment in Primary Care, Community Health Centers

Washington, D.C. - The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) will present«Title»«First_Name»«Last_Name»with the 2016“Distinguished Community Health Champion Award.” The award recognizes select Members of Congress who have championed wider access to primary care and whose initiatives and leadership have served to sustain and strengthen public investment in Community Health Centers.

SUGGESTED QUOTE:

“We deeply appreciate the outstanding work and support of Congressman/U.S.Senator XXXX on behalf of the nation’s health centers and the more than 24 million patients who rely on them for care,” NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON QUOTED. “Because of his/or her leadership in Congress todaymore people are able to access primary care and preventive health services across the country, resulting in huge savings to the nation. We look forward to working with the Senator/Congressman as we continue to build a stronger community-driven primary care health system that provides a pathway to affordable care, better health for more people, and savings in health and prevention.”

The award was presented by a state delegation of community health leaders who convened in Washington, D.C., for the 2016 NACHC Policy and Issues Forum, a national conference that is the largest gathering of Community Health Center professionals.

One of the bright spots in America’s healthcare system, health centers started more than 50 years ago as a pilot project during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Today, they have compiled a significant record of success that includes:

• Reducing income and ethnic health disparities nationwide, even in the poorest and most challenged communities
• Reducing infant mortality rates
• Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings
• Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room
• Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent

Community Health Centers are the trusted provider of choice for 1 in 14 Americans. Health researchers, foundations, and agencies from all levels of government have praised the Community Health Center model as an example of a public-private partnership that is driving innovation in healthcare.

To learn more visit or follow #CHCsInnovate on Twitter.