Community Health Centers Honor Congressman Adam Smith with National Award

US Congressman Adam Smith (WA-9^th District) will receive the 2010 Distinguished Community Health Defender Award on Friday, April 9 at 8:00am at HealthPoint SeaTac.  The National Association of Community Health Centers is bestowing the award on Smith for his consistent support, sponsorship and votes in favor of important issues facing the underserved people in our communities as well as Community Health Centers (CHC).

Smith voted in favor of the historic comprehensive health care reform legislation signed by President Obama on March 23, 2010.  This legislation will have a major impact on the nearly 1,000,000 uninsured people in our state as well as the 700,000 patients who count on Washington CHCs for their basic health care needs.

Smith also co-sponsored a House of Representatives Resolution that recognized the value of CHCs in removing barriers to care by providing cost-effective, high quality, preventive primary health care.  CHCs have a well-documented record of lowering the overall cost of care for their patients by 41% compared to overall costs for those who receive care elsewhere, saving nearly $18 billion each year nationwide.

We salute Congressman Smith's loyalty to the many people in his district and statewide who call CHCs their health care home.  We are proud to call him a champion for health care access for all.

The award presentation will take place at HealthPoint, 4040 S. 188^th Street (located in The Village at Angle Lake), SeaTac, WA 98188 at 8:00am on Friday, April 9.