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PROCLAMATION 5Z,
<br /> RECOGNIZING AUGUST 11 THROUGH AUGUST 17,2013 AS
<br /> NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK
<br /> dVHEREAS,America's community health centers are at the core of our health care system and the nation's safety net,
<br /> delivering high quality, cost effective, and accessible primary and preventative care to all individuals regardless of their
<br /> ability to pay; and
<br /> WHEREAS, health centers are located in medically underserved areas and locally-controlled by patient-majority
<br /> boards, making each health center responsive to the needs of the individual community it serves; and
<br /> WHEREAS, currently, there are more than 1,200 health centers serving as health homes for more than 22 million
<br /> individuals at more than 9,000 locations across the country; and
<br /> WHEREAS, health centers offer patient-focused, coordinated health care — preventive and primary care that families
<br /> and individuals need, where and when they need it; and
<br /> WHEREAS, health centers employ more than 9,500 physicians and more than 6,300 nurse practitioners, physician
<br /> assistant, and certified nurse midwives, along with social workers, case managers, and community health workers, as
<br /> part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team designed to treat the whole patient, coordinating care and managing chronic
<br /> disease, at the same time reducing unnecessary, avoidable and wasteful use of health resources; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the health center model has been proven to be an effective means of overcoming barriers to access for
<br /> the medically underserved and in doing so, improving health care outcomes and reducing health care costs; and
<br /> WHEREAS, this unique model allows health centers to save the entire health system approximately $24 billion
<br /> annually by keeping patients out of costlier health care settings, such as emergency rooms; and
<br /> WHEREAS, health centers are expected to become the health care home for many of these new patients, but the
<br /> demand for health centers continues to vastly outpace growth and many existing health centers are already at
<br /> capacity; and
<br /> ( NHEREAS, health centers are committed to expanding to meet the needs of the communities they serve and to grow
<br /> their reach to serve every individual who currently lacks regular access to a health care home; and
<br /> WHEREAS, National Health Center Week offers the opportunity to recognize America's health centers, their staff,
<br /> board members, and all those responsible for the continued success and growth of the program,since its creation
<br /> almost 50 years ago. During National Health Center Week, we recognize the multitude of ways in which America's
<br /> Heath Centers is transforming care in local communities by delivering comprehensive, high quality, cost effective, and
<br /> accessible health care.
<br /> THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
<br /> FLORIDA that-the week of August 11 through August 17, 2013 be recognized as National Health Center Week and
<br /> encourage every citizen to visit their local health center and celebrate the important partnership between America's
<br /> Health Centers and the community they serve.
<br /> Adopted this 20th day of August, 2013 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
<br /> INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
<br /> r V _ J eph . Flescher, Chairman
<br /> .Qz= We y S. Davis, Vice Chairman
<br /> z: 41,
<br /> ;SF 6 e'Jiflr ' F
<br /> t t
<br /> 3 * Peter D. O'Bryan
<br /> 01
<br /> Bob Solari
<br /> Tim Z
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