On Friday, January 12, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited St. Joseph Healthcare to see first-hand how Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds she helped to procure are being utilized. Pictured above is Senator Collins with Billie Jean Dumoulin, RT (R), CT, in front of a newly acquired mammography machine. $708,000 in FY23 CDS funds were allocated to improving mammography technology at St. Joseph Healthcare, which was used to purchase three new machines. This critical investment ensures St. Joseph Healthcare can expand access to life-saving cancer screenings and provides best-in-class diagnostic care to our community.
“It’s wonderful to hear that the number of people getting mammograms has now exceeded the pre-pandemic level. There was a big dip during the pandemic when women were not getting screened,” commented Senator Collins.
Senator Collins also was briefed on how previously awarded CDS funds totaling $1.5 million are being used for age-friendly improvements for inpatient care.
Despite the US Appropriations Committee being in “chaos,” per Senator Collins, she expressed joy in securing the money for St Joe’s.
“This is a great hospital that does so much good for so many people, and being able to help them at a time of fiscal constraints for healthcare and in Washington means a lot to me,” Senator Collins said.
WABI5 covered Senator Collins’ visit. To watch the television station’s coverage, click here.
