STATE SECURES $18,395,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS
For Immediate Release: Monday, December 22, 2003
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $18,395,000 in matching funds to the Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) to construct a new 95-bed, long-term care home and adult day care center on the Hilo Medical Center campus. The federal grant complements the $10 million in state funding that the Governor approved in August.
The State Veterans Home-Hilo will be the first such facility in the state to provide nursing home and domiciliary care to eligible veterans. The facility will be built to allow for possible future expansion. The project is expected to create approximately 100 jobs in Hilo and is scheduled to be completed in 2006.
“This is an important and long-overdue initiative for our veterans, and will benefit the entire community, both in Hilo and statewide,” said Governor Lingle. “Thanks to the diligent grassroots efforts of our veterans, business organizations, the HMC Foundation, and lawmakers at the county, state, and federal levels, our deserving veterans will have an important healthcare facility to respond to their needs.”
Thomas M. Driskill, Jr., HHSC president and chief executive officer, said, “I applaud the VA, Governor Lingle, and legislators for being instrumental in our efforts to find solutions to our pressing veteran concerns. They saw the need and helped to get funding for the project.”
“Since the State VA Home - Hilo will be constructed on the Hilo Medical Center campus, it will be able to access needed services that the hospital offers,” said Ronald Schurra, HHSC East Hawai`i region chief executive officer.
Hilo Medical Center is one of 12 hospitals managed and operated by the Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation. Established in 1996, HHSC is a public benefit corporation of the State of Hawai`i. As the state’s community hospital system, HHSC continues to fulfill the state’s promise to provide quality hometown care.
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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
