Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Charles Boustany, Jr., (R-Lafayette) announced that he has obtained $350,000 for Southwest Louisiana through the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act for FY 2008, which passed the House today.  The funding approved by the House will support two critical projects in the Seventh District.

The bill provides $200,000 to build on the health care network of the Community Hospital TeleHealth Consortium (CHTC), which is based in Lake Charles.  First formed in 1996, the CHTC is a regional telehealth network comprised of five non-profit community hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi.  Through its use of regional network infrastructure, the CHTC offers patients greater geographic coverage and availability of health care services and providers.  The CHTC is demonstrating how the use of health care information technology can provide high quality, cost effective care and help eliminate barriers to access.

“Hurricanes Rita and Katrina highlighted the need to expand our state’s health IT system,” Boustany said.  “It is vital that, in the event of a disaster, we have the technology to connect patients to first responders.  This funding ensures that the CHTC is prepared to coordinate emergency response efforts in our communities should the need arise.”

Another key spending measure is funding of $150,000 for the Louisiana Academy for Innovative Teaching and Learning at McNeese State University.  The LAITL uses a proactive and systematic approach to guide underrepresented students to collegiate success.  This grant is intended to fund instructors, equipment, and scholarships for these students.

“This funding will give educators the tools they need to support struggling students and steer them toward graduation,” Boustany said.  “With encouragement and special assistance, we can unlock these students’ potential and give them the confidence they need to attain a degree.  By increasing the number of college graduates, this program provides our state with a greater supply of trained professionals, ready to enter the workforce and enhance Louisiana’s economy.”

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