Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning August 3, 2025, as "National Health Center Week", and encouraging all Americans to take part in the week by visiting their local health center and celebrating the important partnership between America's community health centers and the communities they serve.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 639
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-17T16:02:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 639) aims to express congressional support for designating the week beginning August 3, 2025, as "National Health Center Week." It highlights the role of community health centers in providing accessible healthcare and encourages Americans to participate by visiting local centers and recognizing their community partnerships.
Key Provisions
- Support for Designation: The House of Representatives formally supports "National Health Center Week" to celebrate the contributions of community health centers.
- Encouragement for Participation: Urges all Americans to engage during the week by visiting their local health center and honoring the collaboration between these centers and the communities they serve.
- Background Context: Includes "Whereas" clauses detailing the history and achievements of community health centers, such as serving over 32.5 million people across 16,000 communities, providing comprehensive care (including primary, oral, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy services), and generating economic activity through jobs and local operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force or amendments to existing laws. It does not create new obligations, funding, or regulations but serves as a symbolic statement of recognition.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase public awareness of community health centers, encouraging more people—especially in underserved rural, urban, suburban, and frontier areas—to seek preventive care, potentially improving health outcomes like cancer screenings, hypertension control, and diabetes management.
- On Government Agencies: No direct impacts, though it could indirectly support federal programs funding health centers (e.g., through the Department of Health and Human Services). It reinforces the value of these centers in addressing public health issues like chronic diseases, the opioid crisis, and disaster response.
- On International Relations: None, as the resolution is focused solely on domestic U.S. healthcare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Community Health Centers: Nearly 1,500 organizations with over 16,000 sites (including 4,100 school-based locations), their staff (over 650,000 jobs), patient-majority governing boards, and multidisciplinary teams (e.g., physicians, nurses, therapists).
- Patients and Communities: Over 32.5 million users, particularly in medically underserved areas, including 1 in 5 rural residents and those facing barriers like income, geography, or lack of insurance.
- Lawmakers and Policymakers: Introduced by Representatives Valadao, Balderson, Davis, and Auchincloss; referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration.
- Local Economies: Centers as small businesses generating $118 billion in activity and supporting jobs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it requires only House approval and has no binding effect, similar to other commemorative measures. It does not invoke constitutional authority beyond Congress's power to express opinions on public matters.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it aligns with the First Amendment's protection of free speech and does not infringe on individual rights or federal powers.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan support for community health initiatives, potentially influencing future funding debates (e.g., for programs under the Affordable Care Act). It politically elevates health centers' role in equity and cost reduction, without controversy, by focusing on their 60-year legacy and frontline responses to health crises.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-08-05: Submitted in House
- 2025-08-05: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning August 3, 2025, as "National Health Center Week", and encouraging all Americans to take part in the week by visiting their local health center and celebrating the important partnership between America’s community health centers and the communities they serve. — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (4 pages)