FY 2010 LABOR, HEALTH AND EDUCATION BILL INCLUDES FUNDS FOR BRONX, ROCKLAND AND WESTCHESTER PROJECTS

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel voted to invest in improvements in education, housing and health care for all Americans. H.R. 3293, the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Education Appropriations Act, builds on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in providing both short and long-term help to struggling Americans. The measure provides this help though improvements in social programs, and in bolstering the nation’s workforce. The measure passed the full House on Friday by a vote of 264 to 153.

“This bill focuses on giving our workers the tools needed to thrive in a new clean energy economy, and to better provide for their families during these difficult economic times,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “It also funds new and innovative programs, which are designed to improve education for our next generation of leaders and to help them better face the challenges of tomorrow.”

In addition, the improvements include:

• $390,000 in funding for the Refuah Health Center in Rockland. It will be used to provide additional capacity, and allow for the expansion of dental services for its patients.
• $310,000 in funding for the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO). It will be used to improve low-income patient care by creating two additional Clinical Data Repositories, to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system and better provide health care to the public.
• $118,000 in funding for Jawonio in Rockland and Westchester. It will be used to help sustain the Jawonio Family Education Institute which provides educational, recreational, and supportive services for children with disabilities and their families.

“All of these projects will be very helpful in bringing improvements to all corners of the 17th Congressional District, and I am pleased to have them included in this legislation. All of the local organizations receiving funds are doing outstanding work on behalf of the people of the Bronx, Rockland and Westchester and I look forward to seeing the results of their efforts come to fruition,” added Rep. Engel.

The legislation includes funding to provide jobs, meals and other support services to impoverished seniors, as well as critical energy assistance programs to help heat and cool low-income homes. The bill also funds grants that allow states to provide health care to more of their uninsured residents.

To build and train the next generation of workers, this bill includes funding to recruit and train health professionals in underserved areas and encourages our brightest doctors and scientists to develop the latest medical discoveries that will keep Americans healthy and reduce health care costs. The legislation also provides funds for programs such as the Teacher Incentive Fund, which encourages teachers to innovate and find new ways to engage students and help them learn, while boosting funding for literacy programs and college preparation programs for disadvantaged students.

“By securing this appropriation for Jawonio it sends a significant message that people with disabilities matter. Rockland and Westchester Counties are so lucky to have Congressman Engel work tirelessly on their behalf each and every day. We are proud to be constituents and even prouder to call them our friends. Today, we are again reminded that our own Congressman Eliot Engel cares deeply for children with special needs by providing Jawonio with the resources necessary to give our families a brighter and more hopeful future,” said Jawonio CEO Jill Warner.

Charles Scaglione, Executive Director of Bronx RHIO, said, “Our organization collects health care data from throughout the Bronx into Clinical Data Repositories. That allows any patients being treated almost anywhere in the Bronx to have his or her medical care information available as a means to speed diagnosis while cutting out needless repetitions of tests to cut costs. I want to thank Congressman Engel for his efforts to get us this funding.”

“On behalf of our dental staff and patients, I would like to thank Congressman Engel for his tireless support of the 2010 appropriations request,” said Chanie Sternberg, Refuah Health Center’s executive director. “These additional operatories, coupled with Refuah’s outstanding dentists, our comprehensive team of specialists, and our superior delivery of care, will enable us to treat so many in need.”

This action was a major step in the appropriations process. The full Senate is also working on their version of the bill, and the differences between the two bills will need to be ironed out in conference. “I remain hopeful the funding contained in this measure, for the 17th District of New York, will remain in the final version, and I am working with my colleagues to ensure it is,” added Rep. Engel.