Press Release : Altmire (PA04) : Altmire Prevents $15 Million Funding Cut for Jameson Hospital

	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2008

	ALTMIRE PREVENTS $15 MILLION FUNDING CUT FOR JAMESON HOSPITAL
	(Washington, DC) — U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) voted for a FY 2009 budget resolution last night that maintains critical funding for Jameson Hospital. Congressman Altmire played a key role in ensuring the House rejected the president’s attempt to slash Medicare funding by $556 billion over 10 years, which would have resulted in a $15 million cut in funding for Jameson Hospital. “The president’s ill-conceived cuts to Medicare would have jeopardized Jameson Hospital’s ability to provide quality patient care,” Altmire said. “Community hospitals across the country are already struggling to meet higher patient demand amidst ever tighter budgets. I am proud that this Congress ensured Medicare has the funding it needs to protect seniors’ access to their hospitals and doctors.” Jameson Hospital would have lost $15 million in funding through the president’s proposal to slash the Medicare reimbursement rate to hospitals. In the midst of rising healthcare costs, these cuts would have ensured hospitals were paid less for the care they provide seniors. The president’s Medicare proposals would have also increased Medicare beneficiaries’ premiums by $26 billion. “We are very appreciative of Congressman Altmire’s efforts to remove the Medicare cuts proposed in the budget,” Thomas White, President and CEO of Jameson Health System said. “Cuts of this magnitude would be very detrimental to Jameson Hospital and would threaten its ability to provide health services to the people of Lawrence County.” The House budget resolution, which balances the budget by 2012 and provides tax relief for millions of working families, passed by a vote of 212-207. # # # Return to Newsroom

ALTMIRE PREVENTS $15 MILLION FUNDING CUT FOR JAMESON HOSPITAL