U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has secured funding for a new behavioral health center at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon and for emergency preparedness at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham in a House funding bill for fiscal year 2010. In the 2nd District and across the country, the Labor, Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill would invest in health care, heating and hunger assistance to help seniors and others hurt by the recession, and in education and job training to strengthen our economy for the long-term. The legislation passed the House and must also clear the Senate before it could be signed into law.
“Public health and emergency preparedness are critical needs for our community,” said Larsen. “In addition to providing needed funding for hospitals in Skagit and Whatcom counties, the Labor HHS funding bill invests in health care and home heating and hunger assistance to help folks hurt by the recession, and in education and job training to build a foundation for long-term economic growth.”
Earmarked funding for the 2nd District:
$400,000 to complete construction and purchase equipment for a new Behavioral Health Center at Skagit Valley Hospital to serve the acute mental health needs of the Skagit County community. The current facility is not adequate to meet the local need for mental health care services and does not have the capacity to provide necessary treatment options.
$300,000 to enhance emergency power, water and air supplies at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham as well as to increase hospital security capabilities, to ensure the viability of the only major hospital in Whatcom County in the case of a disaster or mass casualty event.
Other important provisions in the Labor-HHS funding bill:
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA): Provides $11.5 billion for IDEA (Special Education) to support a high quality education for 6.7 million students with disabilities. This builds on the $11.3 billion in the Recovery Act to support a record 25 percent federal contribution toward special education in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
Pell Grants: This bill maintains the discretionary portion of the maximum Pell Grant at $4,860, which, combined with a mandatory supplement of $690, will a support a $5,550 maximum Pell Grant in FY 2010. Since 2007, the maximum Pell Grant has been increased by $1,500 or 37 percent – from $4,050 to $5,550. In FY 2010, 7.6 million college students will receive Pell Grants.
Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities: Provides $1.4 billion, $57 million above 2009, for training and supportive services for workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures. More than 500,000 workers lost their jobs in the first three months of 2009 due to mass layoffs. These workers will also be assisted by $1.45 billion in the Recovery Act.
Green Jobs: Provides $50 million to prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy. This new Administration initiative will support pre-apprenticeship programs, career pathways, and other gateways for more than 8,000 workers to enter careers in emerging green industries. The Recovery Act provided $500 million for green jobs.
Veterans Employment and Training: Provides $265 million, $26 million above 2009, to maximize employment and training opportunities for veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce, and to protect their employment rights. This amount includes $8 million in the Education Department for a new Centers of Excellence for Veterans Success initiative to establish college and university-based support centers for veterans seeking to obtain a post-secondary education.
Training to Meet Health Professions Workforce Shortages, Including Nursing: Provides $530 million, $137 million above 2009, to support the training of health professionals in areas where there are shortages. For example, the bill increases funding for the training of nurses by $92 million above 2009; this substantial increase is essential because the U.S. is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age.
LIHEAP: Provides $5.1 billion for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance) to ensure that approximately 7.5 million low-income households continue to receive the assistance they need.
Head Start: Provides $7.2 billion, $122 million above 2009, to sustain high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services, including educational, health, nutritional, and social services, to approximately 978,000 low-income children before they enter school, nearly 70,000 over the FY 2008 level.
Nutrition and Other Services for Seniors: Provides $1.5 billion for nutrition, transportation, and other supportive services for seniors. This funding will help provide nearly 239 million meals to 2.5 million seniors, an increase of about 3 million meals above 2009.
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