1 . Around 3,000 school-based health centers operate in more than 30 states all around the U.S. offering primary and preventive care for students who live in medically underserved areas. Starting at the centers that treat flu, asthma, diabetes and other common illnesses, they provide vaccinations (疫苗接种) and screen for dental, vision and hearing problems, and some provide mental health care. These clinics bring services to children who need them most and who have the greatest risk of falling behind in school because their health needs go unmet.
The pandemic was hard on existing school-based health centers, and it’s time for government at all levels, to recognize that all children need accessible and affordable health care. As lawmakers draw up budgets, reallocate (重新分配) funds and begin a new school year, existing clinics should be able to operate without budgetary fears, more dollars should go to school-based clinics, and more community partners should participate financially and physically in efforts to bring health care to the kids who lack it.
Yet most school communities that could desperately use such clinics lack them. In 2021 $5 million was appropriated (拨专款) to support new and expanded services at school-based health centers. That money funded 25 facilities only—yet the program got more than 2,000 applications. And fewer than half of U.S. states currently fund school health centers. Although the clinics can also bill Medicaid (医疗补助制度) and insurance for students who have coverage, they need stable funding for operating expenses, including hiring well-trained staff.
Many existing centers had to close temporarily or permanently during the pandemic for lack of funding. One bright spot is that more than 60 percent of the centers began offering telehealth services, broadening their reach. Getting kids the care they need where they need it has always made sense, and it`s more urgent than ever. The time is right to expand school-based health centers to all underserved students.
1. What does the first paragraph mainly talk about?| A．The role of school-based clinics. | B．The common school-age illnesses. |
| C．The number of school-based clinics. | D．The medical service in underserved areas. |
| A．Build more primary schools. | B．Set up free health care centers. |
| C．Prevent the pandemic effectively. | D．Support in-school clinics financially. |
| A．It is more than enough. | B．It is just a small amount. |
| C．It serves other purposes. | D．It includes training fees. |
| A．We need more health clinics at schools. |
| B．Students’ physical and mental health equally matter. |
| C．The pandemic impacts existing health centers greatly. |
| D．Schools are committed to helping kids get more health care. |
