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 South Central 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 Central 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 South 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:
Healthcare-related
• $100,000 for Holy Spirit Healthcare System in Cumberland County for equipment. The organization will purchase a new IV infusion system with a software program proven to prevent medication related errors.
• $100,000 for Penn State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Dauphin County for a stroke prevention program. This comprehensive stroke recurrence prevention program will focus on patients in their first year of recovery, including best lifestyle choices, caregiver support, and education.
• $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 PinnacleHealth System in Dauphin County to purchase equipment for radiation therapy in order to improve access to cancer care and research.
• $100,000 for Preferred Health Care in Lancaster County for health information technology. Funds will be used for equipment for electronic identification healthcare cards and automated direction activities for healthcare facilities to reduce administrative costs and assist beneficiaries in identifying and reviewing eligible benefits.
• $100,000 for York College of Pennsylvania in York County for nursing education programs, including the purchase of equipment. Funds will be used to refurbish and expand the existing Nursing Department and laboratories to provide improved educational experiences.
• $100,000 for Fulton County Medical Center in Fulton County for equipment. Funds will be used for an MRI upgrade, mammography equipment, and cardiology equipment to provide access to critical health services.
Education-related
• $100,000 for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Dauphin County for curriculum development and for laboratory upgrades, including the purchase of equipment. The initiative will help increase student competence and capacity in science and technology and help ensure underrepresented students’ access to higher education.
• $100,000 for the Army Heritage Center Foundation in Cumberland County for history education programs to engage students in historical analysis and interpretation.
• $100,000 for Susquehanna University in Snyder County for science education programs and laboratory upgrades, including the purchase of equipment. The initiative will help educate the next generation of scientists, researchers and teachers, while also providing increased science literacy to non-science majors.
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