WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl included $750,000 in the FY10 Omnibus Appropriations Bill for health care initiatives in western Wisconsin.  The federal funding includes $450,000 for health care IT improvements at the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic and Hospital and $300,000 for Viterbo University to construct an up-to-date nursing facility. Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and identified the projects as priorities for funding. 

"With the national health care debate taking center stage, it is important that we also focus on local health care needs in western Wisconsin," Kohl said. "This funding will implement the use of electronic medical record systems allowing better and more accurate care as well as an expansion of the nursing facility at Viterbo University. This expansion will work to correct the nursing shortage in Wisconsin." 

The health care service funds secured by Kohl include: 

$50,000 for the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic – Chippewa Valley Free Clinic plans to implement an electronic medical records system. This investment will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient safety. 

$400,000 for Chippewa Valley Hospital – Chippewa Valley Hospital plans to implement a health IT and electronic medical records system. This investment will enhance the clinical information systems at the hospital and provide patients and physicians with coordination of care and advanced decision support that will improve upon best practices and streamline workflow. The fundamental goal is to concurrently enhance quality and responsiveness and reduce the cost of delivering care. 

$300,000 for Viterbo University – Viterbo requests funds for the construction and furnishing of a new, state-of-the-art nursing facility. The current physical facility is already at capacity and will not support the program growth necessary to address current and future workforce challenges. Viterbo is educating both RN's and advanced practice nurses to meet the need for primary care providers in this mostly rural region of the upper Midwest, as well as preparing nurse educators to address the looming faculty shortage in nursing. 

The funding measure was passed by the Senate, and now goes to the President for final approval. 

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