|
Rep. Deb Eddy, serving the 48th District Serving Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, Medina, and parts of Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah and Bellevue. |
Rep. Deb Eddy secures funding for new Children’s Hospital facility in Bellevue
For immediate release – April 1, 2009
Olympia
– State Rep. Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) has reason to celebrate today with
the release of the House Capital Budget proposal. Despite an incredibly lean
budget year, it looks as though Eddy has managed to secure funding that will
help thousands of Eastside children gain access to state-of-the-art health
care services.
Seattle
Children’s Hospital is preparing to construct a new pediatric specialty care
facility in downtown Bellevue. The proposed House budget would provide $2
million towards construction of the facility, the only project in the 48th
legislative district selected to receive state support.
“Children’s Hospital does what no one else can do in our region,” said Eddy.
“They provide state-of-the-art care for all children, regardless of their
ability to pay. The new facility in downtown Bellevue means we can bring
that excellent care closer to home, and it helps fulfill a long-term vision
for the city of Bellevue for a downtown medical district that can serve our
Eastside communities.”
Competition for capital budget support has been fierce this year as state
budget writers grapple with the economic downturn. The capital budget is
separate from the state’s operating budget and is used to fund
infrastructure and construction projects throughout the state. Local
community grants, which are used to fund community projects, saw a drastic
reduction in this 2009-2011 budget with just under $25 million set aside for
these grants compared to $220 million in the 2007-2009 budget.
Children’s Hospital plans to begin constructing a 75,000 square-foot
facility this year. Seventy Eastside pediatricians who serve 60,000 to
70,000 young patients each year will soon be able to provide specialized
services such as radiology, urgent care and ambulatory surgery. The hospital
estimates the new Bellevue Ambulatory Center will create 275 construction
jobs and support 80-100 ongoing healthcare jobs.
The
House capital budget proposal must still be approved by the House and
Senate.