(Washington, D.C.) -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) announced today that the House version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Labor-Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill includes federal funding for St. Peter's Hospital and Albany Medical Center.

"St. Peter's Hospital and Albany Medical Center provide excellent services to the community and are exceptionally deserving of this funding. I am grateful that the House has recognized this and will continue to work on behalf of both hospitals to ensure that the citizens of the Capital Region have the best possible medical facilities available to them," said McNulty.

The House bill includes $200,000 for St. Peter's Hospital to expand the scope of services available on-site at St. Peter’s Breast Center through the construction of two procedure rooms. These rooms will contain six prep and recovery beds along with the associated equipment storage, utility rooms, and staff lockers. The new rooms would be located in the building that houses the Breast Center.

“We are delighted to have the continued support of Congressman McNulty as we further the mission of St. Peter’s Breast Center that meets the healthcare needs of more than 19,000 women each year. The Congressman’s efforts will provide women throughout the Capital Region with a state-of the-art facility that provides the compassionate care for which St. Peter’s Hospital has become so well known," said Steven P. Boyle, President and CEO of St. Peter's Hospital.

The bill also includes $200,000 for Albany Medical Center for the renovation of an existing adult floor within the hospital to be used for the Children's Hospital. The floor will provide an additional 10 to 20 pediatric beds, a playroom, a new step down unit to transition children out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a family counseling room where families would meet with medical and social professionals to discuss ongoing care and prepare for critical decisions.

Said James J. Barba, President and CEO of Albany Medical Center, "This funding will enable us to expand pediatric services and beds at the Albany Medical Center - something that is greatly needed due to the heightened demand for these services. In fact, in the past four years the number of pediatric patients cared for at the Albany Medical Center has risen by 30 percent. We greatly appreciate Representative McNulty's leadership in ensuring that the proper resources are in place to care for the sickest and most critically injured children of our region."

The House will complete action on the bill today. After Senate passage, this bill will go to the White House for the President's review.

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