[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E984-E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF CAPE COD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2023

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today in honor of 
Community Health Center of Cape Cod's 25th anniversary.
  Community Health Center (CHC) of Cape Cod was first established in 
1998 by a group or volunteer doctors and nurses committed to providing 
free healthcare services to uninsured residents of the Cape and 
Islands. CHC originally started as the Falmouth Free Clinic in the 
basement of Falmouth Hospital and

[[Page E985]]

served 600 patients in its first year. Today, CHC serves over 25,000 
patients and has locations in five towns across the Upper Cape. It was 
also recently announced that CHC received a five-million-dollar grant 
through the American Rescue Plan to open a new location to serve more 
patients on Cape Cod. The new facility will be LEED silver certified 
and include affordable housing to support the community and workforce.
  Since 2003, CHC has been led by CEO, Karen Gardner. Under Ms. 
Gardner's leadership, CHC continues to grow and evolve to better serve 
its patients. Over the last two decades, CHC has built a 33,000 square 
foot facility in Mashpee; added oral health, women's health, 340B 
pharmacy, and vision services; implemented an electronic medical record 
system; and was designated a federally qualified health center in 2006.
  Whether it be transportation or insurance costs, Community Health 
Center of Cape Cod continuously works to break down barriers to 
accessing quality healthcare. By combining the different skills and 
backgrounds of its board members and staff, CHC always strives to 
provide the best healthcare to the community that it serves, especially 
those from vulnerable populations. Over the last 25 years, CHC has 
operated with the goal of providing high-quality, comprehensive, and 
affordable care regardless of a person's ability to pay and has 
established itself as a pillar of the Cape Cod community.
  Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I am proud to honor Community Health Center 
of Cape Cod, and I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating its 
25th anniversary and wishing CHC continued success in the years to 
come.

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