Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has secured funding for several Idaho projects in the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill and the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Bill.
 
“All of these projects are worthwhile and will greatly benefit Idahoans,” said Simpson. “I’m especially pleased with the funding for Madison and Teton County Hospitals. Both of these facilities provide quality care to enormous regions that are growing rapidly. I’m hopeful this additional funding will aid in their renovations so they can continue provide excellent care.”
 
Idaho Programs included in the House Bill:
The Literacy Matters! Program is aimed at educating new mothers on the importance of early childhood literacy and math skills and providing them with resources for educating their children. ($300,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill). This is a continuation of funding Congressman Simpson has secured for this program in the past.
 
The Idaho Caring Foundation Dental Project will provide dental care for 600 low-income, uninsured children throughout Idaho. Eligible children will be identified by working in partnership with Idaho schools, health departments, Head Start programs, and YMCA programs. Dental services are provided by over 90 dentists who are Caring Foundation providers, providing oral health services for reduced fees. ($300,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill). This is a continuation of funding Congressman Simpson has secured for this program in the past.
 
Idaho Transit Coalition Buses and Bus Facilities project will support essential transit systems in rural and urban areas of the State of Idaho. ($500,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill). This is a continuation of funding Congressman Simpson has secured for this program in the past.
 
Southeast Idaho/ Upper Valley Area
Advanced Clinical Simulation Laboratory will develop an Advanced Clinical Simulation Laboratory (ACSL) to strengthen nursing education, practice and research in Idaho. The ACLS will enable students, faculty, and practice partners to become actively involved in clinical simulation learning and conducting research related to student learning, effectiveness of clinical education models and improving patient care outcomes. The ACSL will also provide a research and practice laboratory for nurse faculty and clinical educators to learn and update knowledge about clinical educational models and teaching with technology. ($200,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill).
 
Madison County Memorial Hospital Revitalization Project. The Hospital services for the growing area, that encompasses five counties, and has simply outgrown its facilities. This project will increase capacity for obstetrics (Madison County Memorial Hospital has more births than any other hospital of its size in the State of Idaho and possibly the nation) and inpatient and outpatient surgeries is needed. Federal funding will be used for necessary medical equipment for the expanded and remodeled facility. ($200,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill).
 
Teton Valley Hospital Revitalization Project. The Teton Valley Hospital & Surgicenter is a 13-bed Critical Access Hospital that provides an emergency room and a full scope of primary care services to the residents in and around Teton Valley. Its population has grown by more than 99% over the past 15 years, ranking it in the top two fastest growing counties in Idaho for the last six years. This population growth has seriously strained the resources of the hospital and necessitated the revitalization project. ($200,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill).
 
City of Rocks Back Country Byway will receive fundingfor a 16.7 mile-long project located on the popular City of Rocks Back Country Byway in Cassia County, Idaho. This provides the only direct access to the City of Rocks National Reserve. When fully completed, the project will pave a 1.0 mile gravel segment, reconstruct 15.7 miles of deficit roadway, correct deteriorated road and slope conditions, provide a wider road with shoulders and guardrail, and improve the road’s alignment by reducing the number and severity of sharp curves and steep grades. ($900,000 is earmarked for this project in the House Bill). This is a continuation of funding Congressman Simpson has secured for this program in the past.
 
Both pieces of legislation were approved in Committee today and will come before the full House in the next few weeks where it is expected to pass.