[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17979]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   HONORING JOHN C. FREMONT HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John C. 
Fremont Hospital for 50 years of service to the Mariposa community.
  In 1947, the Mariposa county voters overwhelmingly approved the 
formation of the John C. Fremont Hospital District. Shortly after, the 
1st meeting of the Board of Directors was held and they proceeded to 
purchase 20 acres of land to build a facility. In 1951, the John C. 
Fremont Hospital opened a 24-bed facility. As the community grew, so 
did the hospital facilities. A 10-bed skilled nursing facility was 
created in 1964. Additionally, the Ewing Wing has been added. The Ewing 
wing is a ``home'' facility that has beds to accommodate 28 residents.
  In 1975, a Home Health Agency was established to serve patients with 
at-home health needs. In 1981, the hospital was designated a primary 
health service hospital by the state of California and a sole community 
provider by the Federal Government.
  In 1994, the hospital received a complete face-lift. Revenue bonds 
totaling $5.84 million allowed the hospital to expand their emergency 
services, build a new clinic, enlarge a heliport pad, reopen surgery 
capabilities, and add additional facilities. In 1995, a hospice was 
added to serve the terminally ill and their families.
  John C. Fremont is one of the few California hospitals granted the 
``Critical Access Hospital'' designation, which allows the health care 
district to receive a higher reimbursement for its Medicare patients. 
The John C. Fremont Health Care District supplies education to the 
community by conducting CPR courses, Certified Nursing Assistant 
programs, and Licensed Vocational Nurse prerequisite programs. The 
health care district is one of the largest employers in the area with 
168 employees.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John C. Fremont Hospital for serving the 
health care needs in Mariposa County for 50 years. I urge my colleagues 
to join me in wishing John C. Fremont Hospital many more years of 
continued success.

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