Officials from all levels of government recently discussed some of the region's most pressing health concerns, including the large number of uninsured residents throughout the country.

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas was joined by state and national representatives at an informational open house hosted by Hilltop Community Health Center.

"Health care is becoming a greater issue to all community leaders," Costas said. "It is so important to make sure that health care is available to all and that it is good quality."

Also attending were Celina Weatherwax, director of the Northwest Indiana office of Sen. Richard Lugar, Mary Hill from the Indiana State Department of Health and several state legislators.

Hilltop is a not-for-profit medical center offering primary care services to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay. The event was held in conjunction with National Health Care Center Week in hope of raising awareness to problems faced by more than 60 million uninsured or underinsured Americans.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 12 percent of Hoosiers lacked insurance in 2000. More recent estimates push the figure to around 15 percent.

Since Hilltop's opening in Valparaiso 11 years ago, it has treated more than 8,000 patients. In 2006, the center opened its doors to more than 1,300 new patients, an increase of 13 percent from 2005. Hilltop also provided more than 9,000 medications to patients and more than 1,000 immunizations.

"Twenty percent of 2-year-olds do not have required immunizations," said Hill. "Community centers have become a vital part of the federal delivery system. So many Hoosiers benefit from these programs."

Hilltop receives federal government funds for operations and charges patients on a sliding scale. The center also receives funding from various organizations such as the United Way and Porter County Community Foundation.

Portage health center open house today

NorthShore Health Centers in Portage offers health screenings and special events this week in celebration of National Health Center Week 2007. An open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the Stacy McKay center, 6450 U.S. 6. State officials are slated to speak. For more information, visit the Web site at www.healthcenterweek.org or call (219) 764-5329.