Martinez: Contra Costa County’s newest health center to be dedicated to Rep. George Miller and wife Cynthia

May 10--MARTINEZ -- Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, and his wife, Cynthia Miller, will be guests of honor Monday at a ceremony to dedicate a health center in their name on the campus of Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez.

The George & Cynthia Miller Wellness Center, the 10th health center operated by the Contra Costa County Health Services Department, is being dedicated to the Millers "for their steadfast and vigorous advocacy to bring about health care reform and improve mental health services in Contra Costa County," Health Services Director Dr. William Walker said in a news release.

"This new facility is called a wellness center to reflect the fact that it offers more than just physical care," Walker said. "The focus is on treating the whole person by integrating physical and behavioral health care under one roof."

Cynthia Miller has served on the county Mental Health Commission and the medical center's Ethics Committee. George Miller, who is retiring after 40 years in office, has championed national health reform and is one of the original authors of the Affordable Care Act. When he took office 40 years ago, he had two goals, he said: end the Vietnam War and pass universal health care.

"With the Affordable Care Act now helping millions in California and around the country purchase quality, affordable health insurance, I'm proud to be leaving Congress with both goals accomplished," Miller said, according to the news release.

The new 10,000-square-foot health center is expected to receive about 70,000 outpatient visits annually. It will offer primary care, pediatrics, group medical visits and same-day appointments, and behavioral health services including psychiatry, short-term individual and family therapy, outpatient care for substance abuse, support groups, and crisis management and referral into long-term treatment for children and adults.

The ceremony will be from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in front of the health center at 25 Allen St., Martinez. Speakers will include Miller, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, county Supervisors Karen Mitchoff and John Gioia, Walker, and the medical center's CEO, Anna Roth. More information about the health center is available at cchealth.org/centers.

Contact Tom Lochner at 510-262-2760. Follow him at twitter.com/tomlochner

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