WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 16, 2009 – The omnibus appropriations bill signed by President Barack Obama contains $285,000 for the purchase of a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine by Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Mass.
The digital mammography machine, to be used in Harringtons Womens Center, which is due to open later this year at the 113-bed hospital, will allow the hospital to operate a program to provide services to low-income residents in the area.
The omnibus appropriations bill included funding for the mammography machine as well as more than $125,700,000 in investments for Massachusetts priorities.
Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and the Massachusetts congressional delegation, including Congressman Richard E. Neal, worked with their colleagues in Washington, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, as well as mayors and businesses and community organizations across the Commonwealth to help obtain the funding.
“Im delighted that we were able to obtain these federal funds to help Harrington Hospital provide the best possible care to the citizens of South Central Massachusetts,” said Senator Kennedy. “Harrington has a proven tradition of responding effectively to the health needs of the communities it serves so well, and Im proud to have been a strong advocate for this vital funding.”
“Harrington Hospital has been providing outstanding medical care to South Central Massachusetts for almost eight decades,” said Senator Kerry. “This stimulus funding will help ensure that Harrington is able to continue this standard of care and is not hurt by this financial crisis.”
“The mission of Harrington Hospital in Southbridge is to provide high quality health care to the citizens of the Tri-Community region. This federal assistance will allow the hospital to purchase mammography equipment to use for cancer screening. Harrington Hospital is the major provider of health care in the area. They deserve to have the resources necessary to help improve the health and quality of life of people living in central Massachusetts,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such strenuous advocates who recognize the unique needs of Central Massachusetts and, in particular, the Southbridge area,” said Edward Moore, President and CEO of Harrington Hospital. “Congressman Neal and Senator Kerry are always there for this region, but the one person who really made a difference in helping Harrington was Senator Kennedy, who has been a champion not only of our region but of healthcare issues throughout his distinguished Senate career.”
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