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Money earmarked for Fort Smith hospital Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith is set to receive $1 million for its cancer center in a bill approved by a Senate committee. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both D-Ark., announced they made the funding request in the fiscal 2009 Labor/Health and Human Services spending bill. The lawmakers said in a release that the hospital would purchase updated equipment for its radiation therapy and oncology services. Sparks asked the congressional delegation for the money for an ongoing expansion of its cancer program, said Ron Vigus, chief operating officer of the hospital. It marks the first time the nonprofit hospital has sought a congressional earmark, he said. Government dollars are appropriate because of the "great community benefit" the center brings, Vigus said. "(Lawmakers) agreed with us that this would be a great benefit to our community and we're very appreciative of the support they've given us," Vigus said Friday. Jill McCormick, marketing director for St. Edward Mercy Medical Center of Fort Smith, said her hospital had no comment about the federal appropriation for its competitor. St. Edward did not request any funding this year, a Lincoln spokeswoman said. Vigus said Sparks' status as the only locally controlled hospital in Fort Smith was beneficial in securing the earmark. St. Edward is among a network of hospitals with headquarters in St. Louis. The House version of the same spending bill contains $250,000 for Sparks. That earmark was sponsored by Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers. The competing bills must be reconciled and signed by the president before the hospital receives funding. Congressional leaders indicated this week it's unlikely lawmakers will complete work on the spending bill until after a new president takes office in January. Lincoln and Pryor said the funding, if approved, would help improve the quality of health care in Fort Smith and Sebastian County. "Arkansas ranks 11th overall in state cancer mortality rates and hopefully these funds will help improve this statistic and save lives," Lincoln said. |
