(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth’s (KY-3) announced that he has secured $45 million for site acquisition and preparation to begin construction of a new Veterans Administration (VA) Health Center in Louisville.

“Today we leapt one of the highest budget hurdles in building a new, state-of-the-art VA Medical Center in Louisville,” Congressman Yarmuth said.  “Our community’s courageous veterans have shown tremendous commitment to us, and this new facility will show that we are equally committed to them.  This hospital will be the standard for medical treatment and provide the best possible care to the more than 100,000 veterans throughout Kentuckiana.”

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee just approved the funding in its FY09 appropriations.  The bill must now be approved by the full committee before being considered on the House Floor.

“In the current economic climate, I’m amazed and impressed that Congressman Yarmuth has been able to secure such a large amount of funding to begin this critical investment in the health of our veterans. A new, state-of-the-art medical center for Louisville is no longer just an idea. It’s a reality thanks to this appropriation,” said Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson.  “This investment will benefit military families throughout our state and region, and it will expand Louisville’s role as a regional medical center. I look forward to working with Congressman Yarmuth and the Veterans’ Administration to ensure the project’s success.”

Late last year, Yarmuth called on President Bush to include funding for Louisville’s new VA hospital in his Administration’s FY09 budget.  When the Administration failed to provide any money, the Louisville lawmaker sought his own funding for the Louisville VA through the House appropriations process.

In 2004, the VA placed Louisville on the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) list of cities that would receive new hospitals, but this is the first time that Congress has acted to provide specific funding for the project.