HONORING THE ONE HUNDRED TWENTY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINICS AND THEIR STAFFS WHO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND NEW MEXICANS.

WHEREAS, it is a priority in the state of New Mexico to ensure that all New Mexicans have accessible, available and affordable basic health care services, regardless of their socio-economic status; and

WHEREAS, one hundred twenty primary health care and dental clinics are located in ninety-two communities in thirty-one counties providing care to two hundred twenty thousand New Mexicans in underserved areas regardless of their ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, more than three hundred fifty thousand people in New Mexico have no medical insurance coverage; and

WHEREAS, one of every three uninsured New Mexicans receives continuous primary health and dental care at a primary health care clinic; and

WHEREAS, more than eighty percent of primary health care clinics are located in rural and frontier areas; and

WHEREAS, primary health care clinics offer comprehensive primary and preventive medical and dental care, as well as health education, behavioral health, community outreach and support such as literacy and other education programs in collaboration with other agencies; and

WHEREAS, primary health care clinics are actively involved in efforts to assist children and adults to enroll and participate in New Mexikids and medicaid, thereby expanding insurance coverage to those who are eligible; and

WHEREAS, studies credit primary health care clinics with saving three dollars for every dollar spent on primary care;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Monday, January 29, 2001, be proclaimed "Primary Care Day" in New Mexico to honor the dedicated efforts of more than two thousand health care professionals and staff serving in the state's one hundred twenty primary health care clinics; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all New Mexicans join in saluting and supporting the primary health care clinics that so faithfully and effectively deliver comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to needy people; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to each of the state's primary health care clinics and to the statewide primary health care association.