Sens. Specter, Casey Announce Committee Approval of Northwestern PA Health and Education Projects

The office of Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., has issued the following news release:

   U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved federal funding for several Northwestern 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 Northwestern 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 Northwestern 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.

   Northwestern Pennsylvania projects in the bill include:

   Healthcare-related

   * $100,000 for Corry Memorial Hospital Association in Erie County for equipment. The equipment will be used in a replacement facility, which will improve access to care for residents of northwestern Pennsylvania.

   * $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 Ellwood City Hospital in Lawrence County for facilities and equipment. Funds will be used for cardiac lab construction and equipment to provide access to these services in the rural community.

   * $100,000 for Hamot Medical Center in Erie County for equipment, including ventilators and IV pumps, and will be used at various facilities in order to eliminate barriers to care and improve patient outcomes through timelier treatment.

   * $100,000 for Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie County for equipment. Funds will be used for a Practice Management Information System (PMIS) to educate medical and pharmacy students on health information technology, such as electronic medical records and e-prescribing.

   * $100,000 for Meadville Medical Center in Crawford County to upgrade a CT Scanner to provide a non-invasive method of diagnosing illness and injury in an outpatient setting.

   * $100,000 for Sharon Regional Health System in Mercer County to upgrade equipment in the Cardiac Cath Lab in the Heart Center at the hospital, including IV upgrades and cardiac monitors.

   Education-related

   * $100,000 for Mercyhurst College in Erie County for education programs and support services for individuals with disabilities. The pilot program will provide students with counseling support and academic services.