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Washington, D.C. - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today marked the one year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with an address to a Washington, D.C. gathering of thousands of health center leaders from across the country at a national conference hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). In her remarks, the Secretary praised the innovation and accomplishments of Community Health Centers and the critical role they play in expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
“The Community Health Center framework is critical to expanding access quality health care,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Community Health Centers are leaders in providing innovative care and true health care homes. You don’t just write prescriptions and send patients away. Your staff know these patients, and follow up. We know from dozens of examples that the kind of coordinated care health centers provide is much more effective than the fragmented care that way too m
any Americans receive.”
Secretary Sebelius also underscored the bipartisan support for health centers, thanks to their achievements, in improving health outcomes in communities, reducing the burdens on local hospital emergency rooms, and delivering healthier babies, in addition to providing other services to the medically underserved, such as mental health counseling and dental.
In welcoming Secretary Sebelius to the NACHC Policy and Issues Forum, President and CEO Tom Van Coverden said, “We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of Secretary Sebelius and her recognition of our mission and accomplishments for over 45 years. Today our work is far from finished as we work toward our goal of caring for 40 million people nationwide under the Affordable Care Act.”
For more information on the National Association of Community Health Centers, please visit their website.