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 Northeastern Pennsylvania health and education 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 Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Senator Specter said. “Health and education are our nation’s greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and education 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 Northeastern 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.
Northeastern Pennsylvania projects in the bill include:
Healthcare-related
• $250,000 for Commonwealth Medical College in Lackawanna County to purchase equipment for a molecular biology facility in order to advance research at the new medical school.
• $100,000 for Allied Services Foundation in Lackawanna County for rehabilitation equipment to safely move patients and ensure the safety of staff.
• $100,000 for Geisinger Health System in Montour County. Funds will be used to purchase and install an Electronic Intensive Care Unit Telemedicine System to provide improved and more efficient health care.
• $100,000 for Healthy People Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative in Lackawanna County for obesity prevention and education programs. This project will assist in lowering the incidence of chronic conditions.
• $100,000 for Misericordia University in Luzerne County for facilities and equipment for the College of Health Sciences. In addition to providing academic instruction in a variety of health care disciplines, it will also serve to provide free or low-cost clinical services to the community.
• $100,000 for Northeast Regional Cancer Institute in Lackawanna County to help establish a regional cancer registry. The registry will include a seven county area of Northeast Pennsylvania and create a valuable public health and cancer control resource that could be replicated across the country.
• $100,000 for Schuylkill Health System in Schuylkill County for equipment to improve and replace infrastructure equipment including an IT data center.
• $100,000 for Susquehanna Health in Lycoming County for equipment. Funds will be used for a digital C-Arm for the operating room, primarily for use in orthopedic and vascular procedures.
• $100,000 for University of Scranton in Lackawanna County for nursing and allied health programs, including the purchase of equipment. The program helps to meet the demand for current shortages in health care professionals.
• $100,000 for Volunteers of America in Luzerne County for trauma recovery mental health services to children and families. The project provides direct services to children and families who have experienced the trauma of physical and sexual abuse, violent crime, homelessness, natural disasters, and other devastating events and helps families return to healthy community living.
Education-related:
• $100,000 for Lackawanna College in Lackawanna County for laboratory upgrades to a science center, including the purchase of equipment. The initiative will help promote the use of alternate energy sources and education about energy conservation.
• $100,000 for Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere (SAFE) in Luzerne County for vocational services and program support. SAFE’s programs will provide services and life skills training to increase the chances of individuals with disabilities becoming efficiently and effectively employment.
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