Pallone: House Approves Funding for Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 omnibus bill that includes his request for $571,000 for the comprehensive expansion and renovation project at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

This week, the House approved a $410 billion spending bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2009, which officially began on October 1, 2008. The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval before heading to the president's desk for his signature.

The project will include four major design components: a new inpatient pavilion and Emergency Department/Trauma Center; a new diagnostic and treatment building; investments in infrastructure; and renovations to the existing campus for support services, clinical spaces and outpatient services.

"Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the largest provider of charity care in the region and we need to ensure the hospital has the capacity and tools necessary to provide quality health care to all patients," Pallone said. "With a growing population and expanding number of patients in the Jersey Shore area, it is important that the House approved these funds for the expansion and renovation of the hospital."