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Craig and Simpson Secure Funds for Idaho's Hospitals, Boise Detox Center and Education Programs

Washington, December 17, 2007
Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson announced today that the House and Senate have agreed on the final version of legislation to fund most federal government agencies for fiscal year 2008. In the bill, many Idaho healthcare and education issues were addressed.
 
“Education and healthcare help form the foundation of a strong community and a thriving state,” said Craig.  “Healthy, well-educated children will be in a better position to succeed when they enter the workforce, and this bill recognizes that.  I’m confident these projects will have a direct impact – for the better – on the quality of life here in Idaho.”
 
“By investing in our children, we shape our future,” said Simpson. “We need to address some critical needs of education, healthcare, and safety - not only for Idaho, but for the entire nation. This bill addresses the growing concern we have about sexual predators by providing funding to web-based offender programs. These three components are essential for our children’s well-being.”
 
The Community Detox Center of the Treasure Valley will receive $390,000 to pay for a 24-hour facility. The proposed center will contain 36 beds for indigent patients to be treated by professionals. A typical stay for sobering is 12 hours and typical stays for detoxification will be 5-6 days. “The Treasure Valley is growing rapidly and there is a great need for a Community Detox Center,” said Craig and Simpson. “We are grateful to be part of directing federal funding to projects that impact Idaho.”
 
Idaho Education Programs in the bill include:
  • The Literacy Matters! Program ($292,000)
  • The College of Idaho (Albertson College) Library Technology Upgrades ($292,000)
  • SySTEMic Solution: Plant Early for STEM Learning (science, technology, engineering, & math) ($195,000)
  • The Discovery Center of Idaho ($243,000)
  • The Idaho Women Work!  program($97,000)
  • Advanced Clinical Simulation Laboratory ($243,000)
  • College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Program. ($243,000)  

Idaho Healthcare Programs in the bill include:

  • The Idaho Caring Foundation Dental Project ($292,000)
  • The St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center  ($243,000)
  • The Children’s Home Society of Idaho Bridge Project for Foster Children  ($219,000)
  • Northwest Nazarene University New Nursing Facility Equipment ($438,000)
  • The Children’s Health Services Expansion; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center ($487,000)
  • The University of Idaho Gateway to Math ($121,000)
  • The North Idaho Rural Health Consortium ($243,000)
  • Lewis-Clark State College American Indian Students in Leadership of Education ($187,000)
  • Gritman Medical Center Information Technology Upgrades ($487,000) 
  • Cooperative Telehealth Network at Portneuf Medical Center.  ($341,000)
  • Franklin County Medical Center  ($243,000)
  • Madison County Memorial Hospital Revitalization Project ($243,000) 
  • Teton Valley Hospital Revitalization Project ($243,000) 

 Other Programs in the bill include:

  • CHILD Project ($47,000)
  • Idaho Department of Corrections ($1,222,000)
  • Idaho State Police ($1,128,000)
  • Idaho Department of Corrections Web-Based Offender Information Project ($47,000)
  • Idaho State Police Criminal Information Sharing System ($470,000)
  • Nez Perce Program to Combat Child Abuse ($141,000) 

The bill will be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives tonight and is on the schedule for the U.S. Senate tomorrow. If passed by both chambers, the legislation will be sent to President Bush for his signature.
 
Some of these projects may be subjected to small, across-the-board decreases of two percent or less to meet tight budget caps. Please contact Craig’s or Simpson's offices for details on any of these initiatives.  
 
 

The bill will be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives tonight and is on the schedule for the U.S. Senate tomorrow. If passed by both chambers, the legislation will be sent to President Bush for his signature. Some of these projects may be subjected to small, across-the-board decreases of two percent or less to meet tight budget caps. Please contact Craig’s or Simpson's offices for details on any of these initiatives.