Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) announced today that he successfully secured House approval for $600,000 in federal funding to help purchase a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for Memorial Hermann Baptist Orange Hospital as part of its community healthcare initiative. The funding was included in H.R. 2641, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008.

“A modern MRI machine will help the hospital diagnose illnesses quicker and more accurately. Our families in Orange County and the region deserve quality health care close to home,” said Brady.

It is anticipated that the new MRI machine will double the number of procedures the hospital will be able to perform each year, benefiting more than 2,500 patients annually.

Orange hospital suffered over $25 million in damages from Hurricane Rita. Congressman Brady’s request was aimed at helping to mitigate the cost of replacing damaged or needed equipment. Orange Memorial is the only emergency care hospital in Orange County. A new MRI machine will help diagnose patients quicker helping avoid costly additional testing or surgery. The Energy and Water Appropriations bill must now be approved by the Senate and signed by the President before becoming law.