(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (PA-4) announced today that he has secured $350,000 to improve health care in the Alle-Kiski Valley.  The funding was included in the appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (H.R. 3043) which passed this evening in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 276 to 140.  H.R. 3043 must be approved by the U.S. Senate and the President of the United States before it becomes final and the funding is made available to the recipient, Alle-Kiski Medical Center.

Congressman Altmire successfully obtained $350,000 toward the construction of a new emergency department at the Natrona Heights campus of the Alle-Kiski Medical Center, a 250-bed, non-profit hospital and urgent care center.  As the only hospital in its primary service area of 160,000 residents, Alle-Kiski Medical Center's Emergency Department is currently inadequate to meet the needs of the increasing number of patients in the area.  The Emergency Department expansion calls for enlarging its size from 9,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet.

"I am pleased that the bill includes funding for this important project," said Congressman Altmire.  "Access to high-quality health care is the number one issue facing families in western Pennsylvania.  The expansion of the emergency room at the Alle-Kiski Medical Center will help the hospital better serve the residents of the A-K Valley and further improve the health and welfare of our community."

"Congressman Altmire has been a strong advocate for Alle-Kiski Medical Center.  He clearly understands health care and more specifically the health care needs of those in the A-K Valley.  His efforts are greatly appreciated by the hospital and the members of our community," said Cindy K. Schamp, Alle-Kiski Medical Center President and CEO.