WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Community Health Centers has presented Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, with its 2007 Distinguished Community Health Champion award for his leadership on issues that impact close to 16 million people who rely on community, migrant, public housing and homeless health centers for health care.

The award is given only to members of Congress who had done outstanding work on behalf of those who are uninsured or medically underserved, the association says.

Association president Tom Van Coverdan praised Hatch for bipartisan leadership and hard work on the Health Centers Renewal Act.

"Senator Hatch has been an important voice on behalf of health centers in our state and indeed across the country," said Bette Vierra, executive director of the Association for Utah Community Health. "He understands that health centers are part of the solution to America's increasingly fragmented health care system, because they provide communities with a health care home. With 35 million people in the U.S. struggling without access to health care, there are not enough health centers in America for the people who need them. Senator Hatch is working hard to make a difference in their lives."

Health centers are the family doctor for low-income children and adults in more than 5,000 American communities. In Utah, 84,500 citizens receive medical care through the clinics.According to the association, communities with a health center see shorter lines at hospital emergency rooms.