Health Care Funding Letter
January 30, 2007
VIA Email and
st
1 Class Mail
«Email»
«CompleteLOCALName_Address»
Dear «Title» «Last»,
Congratulations as you begin your new term in the House of Representatives. I
look forward to working in partnership with your office to move Iowa forward.
As you may know, the City of Dubuque recently announced the opening of
Crescent Community Health Center (CCHC). This was a unique partnership
encompassing many organizations including the City of Dubuque, Mercy Medical
Center, Finley Hospital, Dubuque Independent Physicians, Medical Associates
and others who came to answer a critical need in our community – affordable
health and dental care. As part of our long term vision and as advised by current
and previous State and Federal organizations and leaders, CCHC intends to
apply for Federal status as a Health Center. Achievement of this status will
provide an on-going means of operating income to ensure affordable healthcare
to all regardless of ability to pay.
During the last legislative session, the Labor HHS Appropriations bill introduced
was not passed. This has put Health Center funding and funding increases for
2007 at risk. Should this bill not pass, no funding will be available to new Health
Centers such as Dubuque and the critical care we provide will be at great risk.
I urge you to support efforts to fund an increase in Health Center funds of at least
$181 million to stay ahead of this growing need. These funds are critical to
providing quality, affordable, healthcare to our most fragile citizens.
Thank you for your efforts to support this very important funding request.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:cs
Cc: Kevin Anderson, CCHC
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Senator Charles Grassley Congressman Bruce Braley
Senator Tom Harkin
United States Senate 1408 Longworth House Office
United States Senate
135 Hart Office Building Building
731 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501 135 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, DC 20515