Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the citizens of Phenix City and Russell County today for moving one step closer to gaining a new hospital, and at the same time applauded federal health officials for approving a loan which will help construct the facility.

“For too long, Alabama citizens on this side of the Chattahoochee have been suffering without access to quality and convenient healthcare,” Rogers said. “I am thrilled federal officials finally approved this loan, and hope it allows local officials to make this new facility one of the best in the area.”

Rogers said the $32 million loan for Summit Hospital was approved today by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In January, the East Alabama representative wrote a letter to HUD Assistant Secretary John Weicher urging quick approval of the loan to help alleviate the ongoing shortage of doctors and hospital beds west of the river.

‘A new hospital would be a tremendous boost to the economy of the Phenix City area,’ Rogers wrote in January. ‘It is estimated that at least 400 new jobs with an annual payroll of more than $15 million would be created. It would also enhance the number of physicians practicing in the area.’

Rogers added the hospital would help alleviate a shortage of bed space for Alabama patients at Columbus hospitals and lower the wait times in Georgia emergency rooms. “This is a common sense solution for improving healthcare for all East Alabamians, and I will continue to do what I can to make sure Alabama gets its fair share of federal healthcare investments like these.”