As part of their effort to slash huge sums from the federal budget, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are proposing to cut $1.3 billion from community health centers, a program favored by key GOP leaders, including former President George W. Bush.

 

Community health centers were the centerpiece of Bush’s strategy to help Americans without health insurance. During his term in office, the budget for the program grew from $1.3 billion in FY 2002 to $2.1 billion in FY 2008.

 

Even Representative Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has said the health centers are “essential” for rural America.

 

A budget reduction of $1.3 billion could affect 11 million patients who rely on the health centers, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. “That is equivalent to terminating all healthcare to the entire population of Chicago, or to everyone living in the states of Wyoming, Vermont, North and South Dakota, and Alaska combined,” said the association’s president and CEO, Tom Van Coverden.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

GOP Cuts Eliminate $1.3 Billion From Community Health Centers They Once Considered ‘Essential’ (by Igor Volsky, Wonk Room)

The Importance of Community Health Centers (by Ellen-Marie Whelan, Center for American Progress)

One Good Thing about George W. Bush (AllGov)

Health Resources and Services Administration (AllGov)