(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) was honored today by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) with the 2006 “Community Health Defender” Award, given each year to Members of Congress who have worked to protect and expand access to quality health care for millions of uninsured and medically underserved Americans.

“Protecting the health of our communities has always been a top priority of mine and I am proud to receive this honor,” said Moore. “Community Health Centers in Kansas are doing a fantastic job of providing health care services to those in rural and underserved areas throughout the state, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together.”

The Community Health Defender Award is presented to select Members of Congress during NACHC’s annual Policy and Issues Conference, attended by thousands of local and national leaders, health care experts and policy-makers, doctors, nurses and patients.

“Representative Moore should be commended for his active support of America’s Community Health Centers,” said NACHC President and CEO Tom Van Coverden. “His leadership and hard work on Capitol Hill have immeasurably helped the 15 million people who rely on health centers for their health care and the millions more who need them.”

The federally-funded Community Health Centers program was established more than 40 years ago to help low-income and medically underserved Americans gain access to quality health care. Today, health centers serve as the family doctor for 15 million low-income children and adults in over 3,600 communities across the country.

PHOTO AVAILABLE

Suggested cut line: Congressman Dennis Moore receives the 2006 Distinguished Community Health Defender Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers.