Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved federal funding for several Central Pennsylvania health and labor projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
“I am pleased my colleagues have approved this important funding for the Central Pennsylvania,” Senator Specter said. “Health is one of our nation’s greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and technical training for Pennsylvania.”
“I am happy that funding for these vital projects has been approved by my colleagues,” Senator Casey said. “These funds will ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to quality health care, job training programs and education. This is great news for Central Pennsylvania.”
The bill must be approved by the full Senate, the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President before funding is final.
Central Pennsylvania projects in the bill include:
• $100,000 for Altoona Regional Health System in Blair County to purchase digital mammography equipment in the breast imaging center.
• $100,000 for Tyrone Hospital in Blair County for equipment. Funds will be used to replace and upgrade medical monitoring systems for the ICCU/Telemetry, Emergency Room and Recovery Room.
• $100,000 for Pennsylvania State University in Centre County for evidence-based prevention programs in schools and communities to reduce youth substance abuse. The Promoting School-Community-University-Partnerships to Encourage Resilience (PROSPER) program will be implemented in Potter County with the goal of strengthening families, building youth skills, and reducing youth substance use, as well as other problem behaviors.
• $100,000 for American Prosthodontic Society Foundation in Clearfield County for scholarships and program costs related to training in prosthetic dentistry and clinical prosthodontics. Scholarships will encourage students to enter the field of prosthodontics increasing the availability of skilled professionals throughout the U.S., including rural areas.
• $100,000 for Elk Regional Health Center in Elk County to purchase digital mammography equipment and to provide women with access to mammograms.
• $100,000 for Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Potter County for facilities and equipment. The hospital plans to expand and renovate the Emergency Department, including a remodeled trauma room, secure psychiatric room, new triage room and additional specialty treatment rooms.
Labor-related
• $100,000 for Wrightco Educational Foundation in Blair County to provide short term technical training in high demand high tech industries, such as security installation, fiber optic and broadband installation and other areas of telecommunications. It is estimated that employment in the field of security installation will grow at an above average pace, indicating a rising demand for technically skilled workers in the field.
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