Health Care Funding Ltr to Legislators
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 589-4149 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
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November 8, 2005
RE: Health Center Funding
Dear
A few weeks ago, a Study Committee made some recommendations for Health Care
Funding that would have a devastating impact on the Dubuque area. As I understand
the Committee's recommendation, it was to freeze Health Center Funding for 10 years
to help offset the hurricane recovery costs. The Committee went on to suggest that any
increased costs could be funded by State and local governments.
We all understand the need to balance the Federal Budget. This proposal however,
would be extremely damaging to the people who need help the most; people who can
not afford medical treatment.
As you are aware, the City of Dubuque is in the process of establishing a Community
Health Center to address this unmet need in our area. We hope to have the Center
open in the spring of 2006. Organizers anticipate that this center will serve as many as
23,000 people, many of whom receive little health care now. The RSC proposal puts
this center in jeopardy.
Funding Community Health Care Centers is also a priority for President Bush. He
pledged to open or expand 1,200 Community Health Centers in an attempt to serve 6.1
million people in need of health care. He was recently quoted as saying, "These are
cost-effective, smart facilities. It helps the poor and the indigent get much needed
primary care."
The City of Dubuque is very grateful that you and your staff have been so helpful in
assisting Dubuque's efforts to establish a Community Health Center. We ask for your
continued support, as we work together to meet this critical need.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jg
cc: Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
,
Senator Tom Harkin
United States Senate
731 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Charles Grassley
United States Senate
135 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501
Congressman Jim Nussle
303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1502