Shuster gets preview of plans for medical center
Joel Brewton/HeraldStandard.com
U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, speaks at the former Brownsville General Hospital in Resdtone Township on Friday morning. His plans for the congressional district he will be representing include job creation, economic development and health care.
Joel Brewton/HeraldStandard.com
U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, speaks at the former Brownsville General Hospital in Resdtone Township on Friday morning. His plans for the congressional district he will be representing include job creation, economic development and health care.
REDSTONE TWP. — U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster wanted to learn firsthand about plans for a medical center opening in a long-closed hospital on Friday because he said health care is important to all communities.
The tour of the former Brownsville General Hospital also afforded Shuster a chance to meet with some of the businesspeople and elected officials who will be part of the new 9th Congressional District starting next year.
The new congressional district includes all of Fayette County. Shuster’s current district includes only the eastern part of the county. Shuster said Fayette will be an important part of the new district.
“Fayette County is now the second largest county in the congressional district,” said Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg.
Franklin County has the largest population in the district. Shuster said that when the portions of Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties are added to Fayette, the region becomes the largest segment of the district.
“The best way to describe this job I have is I’m the chief customer service representative for 700,000 people to the federal government,” Shuster said.
Shuster said his three biggest concerns in Washington are national security issues, economic development and health care, so the reopening of a health-care center in the former Brownsville General Hospital is a concern to him.
Shuster said health-care facilities keep the community healthy, serve as an economic engine and help attract businesses to a community.
Dave Strong, site manager for Best Medical International, gave a brief tour of the former hospital to the business owners, elected officials and community leaders present for the meeting with Shuster. Strong said there will be a major announcement for the center next month, but, for the time being, Best Medical is simply looking at the needs of the community.
“We look at the patient population and the needs of the community. When you look at the blood lab and the imaging facilities, those are things that are needed in the community,” Strong said.
Strong said Best Medical also is known for its prostate cancer treatment equipment and intends to offer treatment service at the former hospital.
“Some of the things we aren’t expert in, we will partner with companies that are,” Strong said. “We’re very, very happy with the response we’ve had from the community.”
Frank Ricco, the former president of the board of directors of the hospital, said he was thrilled to see the plans Best Medical has for the former hospital.
“I’m elated. It think it’s a step in the right direction. Anything that’s going to get us health care and jobs, I’m for,” Ricco said.
Ricco said he also was amazed at the excellent condition of the building, which has been closed for the past four years.