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| For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 19, 2007 | ||
| Contact: Kenneth Edmonds, 202-225-0773 | ||
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Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., announced today that Congress approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The bill, totaling more than $151 billion, was approved by a vote of 276 to 140. Jackson is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee. Jackson said, "I believe all Americans have the fundamental right to high quality education and health care. These funds will help close the gap between our nation’s ‘haves’ and ‘have nots.’" The bill needs to be reconciled with the Senate version, and then it will be sent to the President for his signature. The bill includes the following Illinois 2nd District requests: · · · · · In addition, Congressman Jackson was able to secure funding for projects benefiting the State of Illinois, including: · · · · · $225,000 to Illinois Primary Health Care Association to modernize the health record systems of its members in order to promote efficiency, improve patient care, and prevent medical errors.$225,000 to the Rush University Medical Center toward the establishment and development of the Illinois Regional Center for Advanced Medical Response.$375,000 to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for the construction of a new Prentice Women's Hospital to replace the current facility.$525,000 to Children's Memorial Medical Center for the construction of a new hospital. $225,000 to The University of Chicago Hospitals to assist in the construction of a new specialty care center for children.Other funding items in the bill include: · · $7 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration, which supports programs that provide health services to disadvantaged, medically underserved and special populations; decrease infant mortality rates; and assist in the education of health professionals.· $2.7 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps low-income families pay home energy costs. · $25.7 billion for No Child Left Behind Act programs, more than half of which will go to help schools in high poverty areas.$3.6 billion for employment and job training programs.$18.9 billion for student financial assistance. Included in this is an increase in the maximum Pell Grant award by $390 to $4,700 benefiting some 5.5 million low- and middle-income students.$200,000 to Harvey School District 152 to implement a scientifically based early literacy intervention program for students grades K-3.$225,000 toward ACCESS Community Health Network's capital campaign for renovations, lease-hold improvements, new building construction, and new equipment acquisition.$225,000 to the Ingalls Development Foundation for cancer prevention and early detection programs, serving all groups but focusing on minority populations.$225,000 to St. James Hospital and Health Centers to expand its emergency treatment space and purchase equipment.$225,000 to LaRabida Children's Hospital for the expansion and modernization of its ambulatory care facility to accommodate the growing community demand. |
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