Last
week
I
highlighted
the
consequences
of
this
irresponsible
governance,
including
the
negative
effects
of
the
Republicans’
flimsy, temporary
spending
bills.
The
most
recent
one
funds
the
federal
government
until
next
Thursday,
February
8,
and
we're
now
hearing that
thanks
to
GOP
intransigence,
their
plan
is
to
pass
yet
another
stopgap
measure,
this
time
until
March
22.
The
current
stopgap
spending
bill doesn’t
fully
address
important
public
health
priorities
such
as
Community
Health
Centers
and
the
Special
Diabetes
Program.
Funding
for
both
of
these
programs
is
in
limbo,
harming
the
millions
of
Americans
who
depend
on
them.
Community
Health
Centers
provide
high-quality
primary
care -
such
as
treatment
for
substance
abuse,
dental
care,
and
behavioral
health -
to
more
than
25
million
medically
underserved
Americans
each
year,
including
more
than
half
a
million
in
Colorado.
Federal
support
for
CHCs
expired
on
September
30,
2017.
After
a
two-month
lapse,
Congress
provided
funding
that
will
run
out
in
March
or
sooner.
Without
a
long-term
extension,
CHCs
report
that
they
may
have
to
shorten
operating
hours,
furlough
staff
or
cut
services.
The
Special
Diabetes
Program
provides
funding
for
diabetes
research
and
prevention
and
management
programs
for
high-risk
populations,
including
many
in
the
Latino
community.
Its
federal
support
also
expired
on
September
30,
and
a
short-term
patch
in
December
similarly
interferes
with
planning
for
its
vital
work.
Last
Thursday,
I
visited
Sam
Sandos
Clinic
in
Denver
where
I
heard
from
staff
about
how
this
unfinished
business
affects
their
financial
planning
and
the
quality
of
care
they
can
give.
To
ensure
the
good
health
of
our
community,
they
need
leadership
from
Washington,
which
Congress
must
provide.
As
the
next
funding
deadline
approaches,
I
am
working
hard
to
ensure
Congress
does
not
continue
to
neglect
these
two
programs
that
are
lifelines
for
so
many
millions
of
Americans.

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