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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SALUD PARA LA GENTE
______
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 6, 2019
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate
the 40th Anniversary of Salud Para La Gente. Since 1978, Salud Para La
Gente has provided comprehensive primary healthcare to low income
community members of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. This non-profit
healthcare provider is dedicated to the values of service, dignity and
equity. Salud Para La Gente provides excellent care by ensuring that
patients are treated with respect, regardless of income. The
organization started with a single free clinic, offering care primarily
to farmworkers on the central coast of California. Since then, it has
expanded to 11 clinic sites with over 90 providers serving nearly
27,000 patients. Salud Para La Gente provides wide-ranging services
including family health, reproductive health, pediatrics, dental,
vision, wellness, counseling, and other types of specialty services.
California's Central Coast produces much of our country's fruits and
vegetables but suffers from poor health among its working community.
Salud Para La Gente has tackled this problem by focusing on issues
including poor nutrition, obesity and diabetes to ensure that
farmworkers and other low-income families on the Central Coast can lead
healthy lives. The clinics of Salud Para La Gente work under the motto,
``even if you are unable to pay, you will not be turned away.'' This
ensures that the most vulnerable residents of the Central Coast can
receive quality healthcare. Salud Para La Gente focuses on all facets
of care including testing, treatment, prevention and long-term
treatment.
I am also proud to recognize Salud Para La Gente as an exemplary
women's healthcare provider. Their clinics in Santa Cruz County include
family planning, pregnancy care, childbirth and breast cancer
screening. With their two women's healthcare offices, Salud Para La
Gente has reached many milestones. For example, in 2016, they
established the first Santa Cruz County OBGYN Hospitalist Team, which
provides around-the-clock care at Watsonville Community Hospital.
Through this program, the team delivers roughly 90 newborn babies each
month to low-income families.
Salud Para La Gente is more than just a health care provider. From
assisting patients with applying for CalFresh to providing mental
health support and healthy diet counseling, it is a pillar of community
well-being. Having made such incredible progress from their first free
clinic in 1978, I am honored to recognize Salud Para La Gente and its
important contributions to the health of residents on the Central Coast
of California over the past 40 years. Madam Speaker, I ask that my
colleagues join me in congratulating and thanking Salud Para La Gente
for 40 years of service to our underserved communities.
____________________
