WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved $37.2 million in loans to allow Mackinac Straits Hospital to a build a new hospital, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced this week.  One of the partners in building the new hospital will be the Sault Tribe, which is locating their St. Ignace health clinic in the new hospital.  Stupak said the new hospital and new clinic will provide improved health care service to the residents of the eastern Upper Peninsula (U.P.).

“It is highly unusual for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve a loan of this size,” Stupak said.  “I am pleased that USDA recognized how vital these funds are to ensure St. Ignace area residents continue receiving quality health care.”

In August, Stupak led Senators Levin and Stabenow in writing the USDA in support of approval of the loan.   In their letter, the legislators noted that the current hospital facility in St. Ignace was built in 1954.  The dated structure cannot expand to provide quality, modern health care services.  

“This funding will allow for this hospital to be re-built from the bottom up,” Stupak noted.  “Updates to the Mackinac Straits hospital are long overdue.”

The new facility will offer expanded outpatient dialysis, oncology/infusion, rehabilitative and radiological services and a mobile MRI.   Stupak noted that the current hospital is badly in need of upgrade, with acute care patients forced to stay in rooms with no air conditioning or air exchange and to use community bathrooms and showers. 

“The staff at Mackinac Straits hospital do a tremendous job, but the fact is that the old building impedes their ability to care for their patients,” Stupak noted.  “The old Mackinac Straits hospital is not even handicapped accessible and the dated infrastructure is falling apart.”

Stupak has made securing funding for Mackinac Straits Hospital a priority.  Stupak requested funding for the project in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for the 2007 and 2008 Fiscal Years.  Stupak’s office also weighed in with the USDA with phone calls, urging approval of the loans.  Rod Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Mackinac Straits Hospital, praised Stupak’s role in seeing the loan through to approval.

“Congressman Stupak fought diligently for Mackinac Straits Hospital’s request for rural development funds from the USDA,” Nelson said.  “Because of his efforts, the federal government responded to the healthcare needs of the eastern Upper Peninsula.” 

“Ultimately, this funding means that residents of the eastern U.P. and Mackinac Island will continue to have access to quality healthcare,” Stupak added.  “The approval of this funding is a major victory for my constituents who live in St. Ignace and I am pleased to see it approved.” 

The loans are being supplied in the form of a $10.4 million direct loan from USDA and a $26.8 million loan guarantee.

# # #