FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Governor Announces Loan for Niagara Falls Medical Center

$400,000 Will Help Fund Construction of Heart Center

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is being provided a $400,000 interest-free loan to help strengthen its delivery of high-quality health care. The funding will help support the hospital's construction of a state-of-the-art heart center and emergency department by spring 2005.

"For years, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has provided quality health care to the residents of western New York," Governor Pataki said. "This funding will help the hospital expand services it offers by developing a brand new, state-of-the-art heart center. This new center will strengthen the hospital's ability to provide vital cardiac services and we are proud to be able to help make this new center a reality."

The financial support announced today will help Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center finance capital project costs for the heart center. The hospital will receive the loan through the State's Health Care Restructuring Pool Program, which is jointly administered by the State Health Department and the Dormitory Authority.

Senator George D. Maziarz said, "Today's announcement is further evidence of New York State's commitment to making the new heart center a reality for the people of the Niagara region. To date, we have achieved some success in securing funding for this project, and I commend the Governor for building on the community's efforts."

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said, "Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is a key asset for the residents of Niagara County and Western New York. State funding for expanding the hospital's services is important in order to further any efforts to provide top quality health care."

Dormitory Authority Executive Director Maryanne Gridley said, "Since 1997, Governor Pataki's initiatives under the Health Care Reform Act have effectively provided hospitals with the resources they need to compete in New York's changing health care industry. The Governor's leadership in advancing key health care initiatives like the Health Care Restructuring Pool Program, as well as his commitment to ensuring access to quality health care for New Yorkers remains unparalleled."

The Governor's announcement brings the total amount of state money committed to the project to $1.2 million. In February, Senator Maziarz and Assemblywoman DelMonte secured $400,000 each in Health Care Reform Act funds from the health care pools controlled by their respective legislative bodies.

Since 1997, New York State has provided hospitals with more than $130 million in funding under the restructuring pool program.

For more information, contact Press Officer Claudia Hutton at (518) 257 3382, or CHutton@dasny.org.

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