Rep. Taub offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 68.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish the NorthEast Detroit Community Health Center as a federally qualified health care center.

            Whereas, Michigan's largest city faces enormous challenges related to the health of its citizens.  Difficult economic conditions, including high rates of poverty and uninsured residents, have contributed to a host of serious problems.  The health of Detroit's residents is clearly a major concern and a threat to the state's future; and

            Whereas, The northeastern region of the city is especially underserved by medical professionals and facilities.  The eight-square mile area being targeted for the establishment of a federally qualified health care center has an infant mortality rate that is twice the state's, a lifespan of only 68.5 years, and a rate of uninsured residents over 45 percent; and

            Whereas, Advantage Health Centers has proposed to establish the NorthEast Detroit Community Health Center, in partnership with St. John Health, under the United States Health and Human Services Section 330 federally qualified health care center program.  This initiative would represent a major step in addressing the significant medical care needs of area residents.  The facility seeks to serve 10,450 clients through 26,100 patient encounters annually; and

            Whereas, The new community center would provide preventative and primary health care services, including mental health and substance abuse care, as well as access to the full range of the resources of St. John Health.  The overall impact of a federally qualified health care center such as this would be substantial not only to the daily lives of the individuals served, but also to the well-being of the metropolitan area; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish the NorthEast Detroit Community Health Center as a federally qualified health care center; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.