[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE NEW CLARK COUNTY REGIONAL CANCER 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a very 
positive development in health care for the residents of Springfield 
and Clark County, which are in the 7th Congressional District of Ohio. 
Federal, state and local officials and representatives from our two 
local hospitals are set to break ground on a new outpatient regional 
cancer center.
  For years, I had heard from local health care providers and residents 
about how frustrating it was not having a local modern facility to 
perform outpatient cancer treatments.
  With two outstanding health care centers already available in 
Springfield, it seemed strange to many people who needed basic oncology 
services to have to drive to Dayton, Columbus or even Cincinnati.
  Traveling long distances to receive cancer treatment can be 
burdensome for a patient and his or her family, especially if they are 
elderly or have mobility problems.
  I was able to work with my good friend Congressman Ralph Regula of 
Navarre, who is the Chairman of the Labor/Health and Human Services 
Appropriations Subcommittee, to secure $1 million in federal funds for 
the establishment of this outpatient regional cancer center.
  This funding helped to lay the groundwork for the construction of 
this new facility to improve the level of health care for the citizens 
of Springfield and Clark County.
  This effort is a true public-private partnership that has brought 
together Mercy Health Partners, The Community Hospital, the Ohio EPA 
and the federal EPA.
  Until that great day when there is a simple and affordable cure for 
the scourge known as cancer, it is vitally important that communities 
like Springfield have the best possible infrastructure to provide care.
  This new cancer center will have a key role to play in our health 
care community and I was pleased to be able to support this worthwhile 
effort in Congress.
  As the Congressman who represents Springfield and Clark County in the 
U.S. House of Representatives, I offer my sincere congratulations on 
this great achievement and look forward to the day when we will be able 
to dedicate the finished facility.

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