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 Mollohan Secures Funding for Key Healthcare and Education Projects
WASHINGTON—Congressman Alan B. Mollohan secured funding in the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for state-of-the-art labs and treatment programs for hospitals and educational facilities across the First Congressional District.
The $151.5 billion measure passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 276-140 on Thursday.
“I am pleased to help support our community hospitals that often struggle to provide services with extremely limited resources,” Mollohan stated. “These funds will give health care providers, administrators, and students alike the tools they need to meet the growing demands of the health care field.”
Sistersville General Hospital CEO Lynn McCormick emphasized the importance of the $225,000 the Critical Access facility will receive in meeting the needs of a medically underserved area. “This year’s funding will help Sistersville Hospital reach a long-term goal of transitioning to an electronics record system, allowing our facility to continue providing the quality patient services local residents have come to expect. We are sincerely appreciative of Congressman Mollohan’s efforts.”
Another Critical Access facility, Preston Memorial Hospital, will receive $275,000 to expand its Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit. The 25-bed rural healthcare facility is located in Kingwood. According to Preston Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Michael Thompson, “we will use the funds to expand, renovate, and buy state of the art equipment to support our emergency department. We treat nearly 10,000 people a year in our emergency room. ERs can mean the difference between life and death. We thank Congressman Mollohan for his outstanding service and commitment to our community. His work will help us to provide the highest standard of medical care for our clients.”
The Wheeling-based Augusta Levy Center will benefit from $75,000 that will be used to fund autism programs. “The Augusta Levy Center is committed to helping children with autism reach their fullest potential,” said Director Kathy Fuller. “The funding secured by Congressman Mollohan will enable our organization to provide innovative treatment programs to children, as they work to achieve their goals of independence.”
Fuller added, “This funding is particularly important in a time when the Centers for Disease Control report that one in every 150 children may have autism, which is a historical high. Given the increased awareness of autism, millions of dollars are going to research each year, but very little funding is going to the critical education programs these students need.”
Alderson-Broaddus College, an American Baptist affiliated, liberal arts institution in Philippi, will receive $100,000 to help create a state-of-the-art nursing laboratory at Alderson-Broaddus College. “The College is truly grateful for Congressman Alan Mollohan’s visionary leadership in designating funding with HHS to begin development of our nursing clinical simulation labs,” said Stephen Markwood, A-B President. “These labs are a critical component of our new International Nursing Program.”
The legislation also includes $175,000 for the procurement of endovascular imaging equipment by West Virginia University Hospitals.
“Funds for these healthcare and education projects are a worthwhile investment in the health and livelihood of our local communities,” Mollohan stated. “This appropriations bill will have a positive impact on rural areas throughout northern West Virginia for years to come.”
The Senate will now consider the bill before sending it to the President for his signature.
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