(Washington, D.C.) -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton and Representative Michael McNulty announced that the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Labor-Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects in the Capital Region:

St. Peter's Hospital - Breast Cancer Center ($320,000)
Funding will be used 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.

Albany Medical Center - Children's Hospital Project ($320,000)
Funding will be used 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.

Albany Medical Center - Patient Safety Center–Virtual Learning Center ($500,000)
Funding would be used to create a “Virtual Learning Center” to educate and train medical students and residents, physicians, nurses, emergency response personnel (EMS) and other healthcare professionals. This virtual learning environment will use computer simulators, including computerized mannequins and specially designed rooms that can virtually mimic a trauma suite, an operating room, or a cardiac diagnostic lab.

Hudson Valley Community College - Weekend Nursing Program ($500,000)
More than 200 students at Hudson Valley Community College are waiting to enter the college’s Nursing Program. Funding will be used for a new part-time Weekend Nursing program that would allow it to expand its program by 32 students per year.

McNulty said, "These institutions provide crucial services to the community and are exceptionally deserving of this support. The funding provided to St. Peter's Hospital and Albany Medical Center will ensure that the citizens of the Capital Region have the best possible medical facilities available to them. The funding provided to Hudson Valley Community College will allow the training of more nurses, who will serve at these hospitals and other medical facilities."

“This is welcome news for these outstanding institutions. The funding will help the Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital continue to provide cutting-edge treatment for their patients throughout the Capital Region,” said Senator Clinton. “We need nurses now more than ever and I am pleased to have been able to help Hudson Valley Community College receive the assistance they need to better train and equip more people to enter into this lifesaving profession,” said Senator Clinton.

“This is terrific news for the Capital Region and another critical hurdle to clear in the appropriations process,” said Schumer. “By expanding the nursing program at Hudson Valley Community College and ensuring top-notch facilities at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital, these projects will guarantee the highest quality of care for patients in the Capital Region.”

The conference report will now be sent to the President for his signature.

CONTACT: Schumer Press Office, Alex Detrick, (202) 224-7433
                      Clinton Press Office, (212) 688-9780
                      McNulty Press Office, Lisa Blumenstock, (202) 225-5076

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