Washington,
Oct 16 -
U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-Va.) announced today that a construction project intended to greatly increase the level of medical care provided at Langley Air Force Base will move forward as originally planned. The project’s future was in financial limbo as construction costs increased due to the change in market conditions caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, after taking this issue directly to the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Drake was able to secure additional funding from a now defunct construction project in Mississippi.
“Our servicemembers continue to make sacrifices every day in defense of the freedoms and liberties we as Americans take for granted, and we are in their debt,” said Rep. Drake. “At the very least, we should repay that debt by ensuring that they are offered the finest level of medical care available.”
The $67 million project will provide for 14 Labor/Delivery/Recovery & Postpartum (LDRP) rooms, a new surgical suite and central sterile clinics for Primary Care and Women’s Health. Additionally, the hospital’s inpatient capacity will be expanded by 43 beds.
This will be the hospital’s first major improvement since original construction was completed in 1966.
