A Resolution recognizing the week of August 2 through 8, 2026, as "National Health Center Week" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Ciresi and 8 co-sponsors

Declares August 2–8, 2026 as National Health Center Week in PA to recognize and honor community health centers and staff for providing affordable primary care to underserved popula

Reported as committed

Summary of Bill: HR 570 (Session 2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose

Recognizes the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as “National Health Center Week” in Pennsylvania.

Aims to acknowledge and honor the work of community health centers and their staff in providing affordable, accessible primary care, particularly to uninsured, underinsured, and people in health care deserts.

Key Provisions

Official designation: The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognizes National Health Center Week for the specified dates.

Context and rationale:

Defines community health centers as clinics serving low-cost, primary-care–focused services and reducing barriers such as travel and language.
Includes Federally Qualified Health Centers, look-alike clinics, rural health clinics, and similar providers.
Highlights historical background (origin in 1965 as neighborhood health centers) and current role in delivering affordable care to low-income populations and underserved areas.
Notes broader impact: creation of jobs, tax contributions, and Medicaid cost savings at a national level.
Provides local statistics for Pennsylvania: about 1 million Pennsylvanians (roughly 1 in 13) visit a community health center annually; Pennsylvania operates 59 state health centers serving similar purposes.

Thematic emphasis for 2026: The national theme is “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” honoring innovative approaches to improve access, delivery, and outcomes in primary care.

Who/What Is Affected

Primarily a symbolic and ceremonial designation impacting:

Government communications and public awareness around health centers.
Recognition by state legislators of the contributions of community health centers and their staff.

No new funding, regulatory changes, or programmatic mandates are included in the bill as written.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: June 15, 2026.

Referred to: June 16, 2026, to the Committee on Health.

Effective date: The resolution designates August 2–8, 2026, as National Health Center Week in Pennsylvania; no other timelines or enforcement mechanisms are specified.

Practical Implications

Educational and awareness impact for Pennsylvanians about the role of community health centers.

May support public recognition events, outreach, and potential advocacy efforts to highlight access to affordable care and ongoing needs of community health centers.

No direct changes to funding, access programs, or regulatory authority are enacted by this resolution itself.

Additional Context

The bill is sponsored by multiple representatives and includes several co-sponsors, reflecting bipartisan support for acknowledging the role of community health centers in Pennsylvania’s health care landscape.