Upton introduces bipartisan bill reauthorizing funds for school-based health centers

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) on April 3 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funding for the nation’s roughly 2,000 school-based health centers (SBHCs) that serve low-income communities. 

“I am proud to support this reauthorization as we work to keep our children healthy and help all students succeed,” Rep. Upton said on Wednesday. 

Rep. Upton unveiled H.R. 2075 with lead bill sponsor U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and cosponsor U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to reauthorize funding for SBHCs through 2024. The centers reach more than two million children and adolescents across America with more than 120 located in Rep. Upton’s home state of Michigan.

“SBHCs serve an important role in underserved communities in Michigan and around the United States, offering primary care services as well as mental health services and dental care,” said Rep. Upton. “Just last month I met with students and staff at a school-based health center in my district and heard moving stories about the positive impact the center has had on their lives.”

At SBHCs, students may receive treatments for acute illnesses, such as the flu, and chronic conditions, including asthma and diabetes, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which provides funding through its Health Center Program for roughly 20 percent of the country’s SBHCs. 

The centers also provide students with screenings for dental, vision and hearing problems and focus on prevention, early intervention and risk reduction via counseling on healthy habits, as well as how to prevent injury, violence and other threats, according to HRSA.

SBHCs often are operated as a partnership between the school and a community health organization, such as a community health center, hospital or local health department, the HRSA says. 

“This bipartisan federal investment will play an important role in improving health outcomes and academic success for children across America,” Rep. Sarbanes said. “By strengthening our national commitment to school-based health centers, we can ensure that children in every community have access to affordable primary care.”

Rep. Stefanik added that students’ academic success depends on proper healthcare. “Regardless of the community they live in, students of all backgrounds deserve access to affordable primary healthcare,” the congresswoman said. “The SBHC program is a critical resource that ensures each student has a chance to succeed and make a difference in this world.”

John Schlitt, president of the School-Based Health Alliance, noted that the proposed funding reauthorization for SBHCs “is a step forward to ensuring that all children and youth thrive.”

“Our communities need powerful, evidence-based interventions like SBHCs to address the root causes of chronic absenteeism, academic failure, conduct disorder and civic disengagement,” he said.

H.R. 2075 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.