The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday by voice vote approved a bill (HR 1343) that would reauthorize the federal community health centers program through fiscal year 2012, CQ Today reports (Mattingly [1], CQ Today, 5/7).

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Gene Green (R-Texas), would authorize more than $14 billion over five years in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and U.S. territories. The bill would provide $2.1 billion in FY 2008 and $2.5 billion in FY 2009.

In addition, the legislation would allow limited liability protection for physicians who volunteer at community health centers and extend liability protections to employees who travel to provide emergency care. The bill also would require 30 demonstration grants for integrated health systems that provide access to primary and preventive care (Posner, CongressDaily, 5/8).

Green said, "Health centers represent our nation's largest primary health care system and serve as a medical home to more than 15 million Americans, the overwhelming majority of whom are low-income or uninsured individuals," adding, "This bill will double the number of Americans who can be served in these health centers." The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in November 2007 approved a similar bill (S 901) (CQ Today, 5/7).