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OPA News Release: [07/09/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Commends Commonwealth Health
Foundation For Contributions To Southcentral Kentucky
Says
Administration Will Work To Improve Access To Affordable Health
Insurance
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
today spoke at a luncheon commending the outstanding contributions of
Commonwealth Health Foundation, headquartered in Bowling Green.
The Foundation, formed in December 2000, runs a Free Clinic that
provides medical and dental treatment to the “working poor” of
Southcentral Kentucky. These individuals have tried to stay in the workforce,
but do not have insurance, social assistance, or means to pay for
healthcare.
To be considered for treatment, a patient or his/her spouse must be
currently employed and meet financial criteria established by the Free
Clinic.
“The work of Commonwealth Health Foundation is just the along the
lines of what President George W. Bush had in mind when he challenged all
Americans to give back to their community and their country,” said Chao.
“I salute you for bringing quality health care to Bowling Green and other
areas of Kentucky, and I pledge that this Administration will work hard to
increase access to affordable health care.”
“The people who come to the Free Clinic are hard-working, and
it’s good they have a place to receive quality care,” said Chao.
“However, the fact that people work and are still uninsured is a lingering
challenge for not only this community, but for communities all across
America.”
As health care costs continue to rise, many patients have expressed
concern that HMOs or government bureaucracies control their health decisions.
More than 40 million Americans go without any health insurance at all.
Chao says the Administration is supporting proposals to increase access
to affordable health insurance through association health plans, medical
savings accounts, and health tax credits.
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