WCA Hospital's campaign for its new emergency department will receive funds from yet another major supporter - the federal government.
On Wednesday, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced his request for funding with the appropriations subcommittee for labor, health and human services and education has been approved in the amount of $150,000.
"The biggest need that the WCA Hospital had was the expansion and improvement of their emergency room and this funding will fill that need," Schumer said.
According to his news release Schumer, who is not a member of the committee, worked closely with members of the appropriations committee to include funding for the project in this year's spending bill. He added the hospital's current emergency room is undersized, outdated and in need of significant improvement, for which this funding will provide.
"Having an expansive, 21st-century emergency room is one of the keys to providing world-class health care in Western New York and now WCA will have the resources to improve upon their already top notch work," said Schumer.
In April, Schumer originally requested an amount exceeding $2 million for the WCA project, among a slate of other proposed funds to be distributed within the state of New York.
Now that a modified figure has been approved by the senate appropriations subcommittee, it will be sent to the full 29-member Senate appropriations committee. Following approval by the larger committee and the Senate, the bill will be taken up in the House of Representatives and then to the president for signature.
GOOD NEWS FOR CAMPAIGN
The recent announcement came as a pleasant surprise to the staff of the WCA Hospital.
Betsy Wright, hospital president and CEO, said she was hopeful that a breakthrough would eventually occur, since the WCA has been in regular talks with Schumer since the establishment of the capital campaign in 2008.
"We at the WCA are very appreciative of Schumer's efforts with the appropriations committee," said Wright.
"This is a very critical step," she added, since the bill has finally been introduced and approved by a group within appropriations, and it is now in a position to come before the Senate for approval.
Wright said the capital campaign has raised $12.4 million and is making great strides toward the ultimate goal of $16.5 million. To date, the majority of funds has originated from local foundations, including a grant to "kick start" the process from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, totaling $2.5 million.
The state Department of Health also contributed early with a HEAL NY grant for $2 million, and Wright said the money has just started to be drawn down into the collected amount for the new emergency wing.
