Lampson Requests Federally Qualified Health Center for Jefferson County

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX) today issued the following statement on establishing a Federally Qualified Health Center in Jefferson County:

"As the Congressional Representative for the Ninth District of Texas, I have written Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Labor to request that the federal government assist Jefferson County in establishing a new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). These facilities provide low-cost healthcare options for hard-working families in southeast Texas, and with large numbers of uninsured residents in Jefferson County, many folks need to know that viable healthcare options are available.

"Currently, an excellent physical location for the new FQHC is available in Jefferson County, but the Department of Labor owns that land. Therefore, I look forward to assistance from Secretary Chao in exploring this option, as I believe that the land provides a rare opportunity to establish a new FQHC that is highly accessible to Jefferson County residents. I also want to recognize Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith, Texas State Representative Joe Deshotel, and other civic leaders, the community, and concerned citizens for all their hard work on this matter.

"Affordable healthcare is something no Texan - or American, for that matter - should go without, and the combined efforts of these fine individuals will hopefully yield positive results for working Texas families."
(See attached letter.)

May 18, 2004
The Honorable Elaine L. Chao
Secretary of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor
Francis Perkins Building
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20210

Dear Secretary Chao:

There is a matter of great importance to the health and well being of the residents of southeast Texas and Gulf Coast for which I request the U.S. Department of Labor's immediate assistance. The region is in desperate need of a new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to provide cost-effective medical treatment to the under-served. The rising cost of healthcare effects all Americans, but it has a devastating impact on the indigent population in Texas. Last year, the two main hospitals in Jefferson County, Texas treated 34,772 patients without health insurance. Most of the cost for treating those patients was written off by the hospitals. FQHCs provide quality, cost-effective healthcare to low-income individuals and reduce the cost passed onto the taxpayer.

The first step in receiving funds to establish a FQHC is finding a suitable physical location. Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith, Texas State Representative Joe Deshotel, and other civic leaders who are working diligently to establish a FQHC have notified me that their desired location is 1050 Magnolia Street in Beaumont, Texas. It is my understanding that this building was managed by the Texas Workforce Commission, but the U.S. Department of Labor owns the equity. Currently, this building is unoccupied and unused. The building is also easily accessible by public transportation. I would like to request that the Department of Labor consider giving its portion of this building to the State of Texas, or consider renting the property to the county for a minimal cost, or any other viable option that can bring much-needed healthcare to Texas residents.

Please contact Aaron Schmidt at (202) 225-6565 if your office has any questions. I thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

NickLampson
Member of Congress