MPCA News

Montana Community/Migrant Health Centers Send Advocates to Washington, D.C.

Some of the Montana folks in Washington D.C., (L-R)) Al Nutter, Maria McClernan, Claudia Stephens, Janet Schafer, Kimberly Rowse, Jim Nybo, Joe Russell, and Karen Bradway (Front).

Twenty representatives from Montana Community Health Centers and MPCA, including executives and board members, traveled to Washington D.C. the week of March 17, 2002 to attend the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy and Issues Forum. They were joined by Joe Russell, Health Officer of Flathead County and Karen Bradway, board member from Sweet Medical Center in Chinook, who represent Montana communities interested in establishing Community Health Centers.

The group visited with Montana's Senators and Representative and/or their health staff and encouraged them to reauthorize the Consolidated Health Center and National Health Service Corps programs and to continue their support of President George Bush's initiative to double the number of people served by Community Health Centers within the next five years. Several members of the group expressed concern regarding the recent USDA decision to stop processing application for J-1 visa waivers. This program allowed foreign-born physicians to practice in underserved areas in the U.S. - an important medical resource for many areas of Montana. The group also discussed ways to reform Medicare and efforts to improve health coverage for the uninsured.

Montana Primary Care Association 1805 Euclid Avenue Helena, MT 59601 Phone: (406) 442-2750 Fax: (406) 449-2460