Oneida County Invests $500,000 in Rome Health Hybrid Operating Room

Oneida County has invested $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support Rome Health's hybrid operating room project, part of its capital project to replace aging operating rooms and ICU. The funding will enable the hospital to modify one of four new surgical suites to accommodate a hybrid operating room for more complex procedures. The hospital is constructing a 30,000 sq. ft. addition for new surgical suites and ICU, funded through a partnership of over $29.5 million in public and private funding.

Introduction:
Oneida County, New York, has allocated $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds to support Rome Health's hybrid operating room project. This investment is part of the capital project aimed at replacing aging operating rooms and ICUs. The ARP Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, is a $1.9 trillion spending package designed to accelerate the post-COVID-19 economic recovery and support vaccine distribution [1]. This article explores the significance of Oneida County's investment in the ARP Act funds and its impact on Rome Health's hybrid operating room project.

Background:
The ARP Act includes $350 billion in funding for state and local governments, the largest allocation to localities to date [1]. Oneida County, like many others, was grappling with financial uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. High unemployment rates and declining revenue sources, such as income and sales taxes, posed significant challenges [1]. The ARP Act's state and local funding was intended to address these issues and provide financial support to governments like Oneida County.

Impact on Rome Health's Hybrid Operating Room Project:
Oneida County's $500,000 investment in the ARP Act funds will enable Rome Health to modify one of four new surgical suites to accommodate a hybrid operating room. This hybrid operating room will facilitate more complex procedures, enhancing the hospital's capacity to provide advanced care [2]. The hospital is also constructing a 30,000 sq. ft. addition for new surgical suites and ICUs, funded through a partnership of over $29.5 million in public and private funding [2].

Conclusion:
Oneida County's investment of $500,000 in ARP Act funds to support Rome Health's hybrid operating room project underscores the significance of the federal aid in addressing the financial challenges faced by local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment will enable Rome Health to expand its capacity to provide advanced care, contributing to the post-COVID-19 economic recovery in the region.

References:
[1] Rockwood Institute. (2021, March 11). The American Rescue Plan Act: State and Local Funding Breakdown. https://rockinst.org/blog/the-american-rescue-plan-act-state-and-local-funding-breakdown/
[2] Rome Memorial Hospital. (2021, April 1). Rome Memorial Hospital's Capital Project. https://www.romememorialhospital.org/capital-project/