Griffin Named Community Health "Champion'

Press Release

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after being presented with the 2012 Distinguished Community Health Champion Award by the National Association of Community Health Centers:

"The demand for local access to primary and preventive care far outweighs available resources in Arkansas. That's why our Community Health Centers (CHCs) are so important: they help meet this need by providing high quality, affordable health care to medically underserved areas and also lower costs in our health care system. I am honored to be a Co-Chair of the Congressional CHC Caucus and I am humbled by this recognition. I will continue to fight for patient-centered solutions that lower costs and improve Arkansans' access to quality health care."

Sip Mouden, CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas, presented the Award to Rep. Griffin.

"We are so proud that the National Association of Community Health Centers, which represents 8,000 health center locations and their more than 20 million patients, honored Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin with the distinguished "CHAMPION' Award! Congressman Griffin understands the value the health centers bring to the physical and economic well-being of the communities they serve. He recognizes the valuable cost savings that health centers bring to the health care delivery system," says Mouden.

Community Health Centers of Arkansas represents 75 health center locations statewide, serving more than 150,000 patients annually. According to a recent article by the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, CHCs substantially reduce annual medical expenditures by 24 percent. In 2011, Arkansas health centers saved the health care system an estimated $195,228,225.

Source