Press Releases
Congressman Pascrell, Senator Menendez Join Together To Announce Brighter Future At St. Mary's Hospital In Passaic
Washington, DC,
January 25, 2010
During a time when New Jersey hospitals have seen more than their share of bad news, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today joined St. Mary’s Hospital President and CEO to deliver some good news: the appropriation of $950,000 in grants to the hospital. “It’s no secret that New Jersey’s hospitals have faced their fair share of financial woes. Over the last decade, we’ve seen 19 hospitals close across our state—including General Hospital Center right here in Passaic,” said Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and its subcommittee on health. “We are not here to lament over the losses of the past. Instead, we are here to recognize the important role that St. Mary’s plays in this community and celebrate its future. I—along with my colleagues from the Senate—believe in the future of this hospital. We are all committed to helping St. Mary’s Hospital realize its future of continuing to serve Passaic and the surrounding communities.” “These are hard times for family budgets and as health care cost increase, we need to do all we can to ensure that St. Mary’s remains a quality health care option," said Senator Menendez. "This federal investment will help ensure that medical care at St. Mary's is efficient and effective and will create local jobs at the same time. I am proud to have helped secure these vital resources for the health and economic well-being of area residents." “This federal funding will help St. Mary’s Hospital provide access to quality, affordable health care,” stated Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee who led the fight to secure the funding. “Investing in renovations to the hospital’s physical infrastructure and computer technology will result in better patient care.” “We deeply we appreciate Congressmen Pascrell’s and Senators Menendez’s and Lautenberg’s advocacy on behalf of St. Mary’s Hospital and the thousands of patients we serve each year,” said Michael J. Sniffen, President/CEO, St. Mary’s Hospital. “They have done more than help save a hospital – they have helped save our community, ensuring that our friends and neighbors have the critical healthcare services they need and deserve.” The $950,000 grant was secured in the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill. A portion of the bill will be used for renovations to St. Mary’s Hospital’s Women and Children’s Center. The remainder of the grant will be used for upgrades to the hospital’s information technology. During the legislators’ visit to the hospital on Monday, Mr. Sniffen demonstrated the latest digital imaging technology acquired by the hospital for in utero monitoring of at-risk pregnancies. ### |