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The three appropriations bills included in this funding package are the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill, the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, and the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. Through the Agriculture Appropriations bill, I was able to secure funding for projects across Washington's Fourth District. The projects funded through this legislation are listed below:
Astria Toppenish Hospital
Amount: $1,512,000
Project: Emergency Department Modernization Project
The current Emergency Department at Astria Toppenish Hospital is outdated, and in certain areas in a state of disrepair, including the exam rooms, corridors, nurses’ station, waiting room, the staff registration areas, and waiting room for patients and families. A newly designed and expanded fast track area will include a centrally located nursing station area and four contiguous patient rooms. A new results waiting area will be added which will include four holding bays for patients waiting for results. The redesigned area will improve efficiency, streamline processes, and minimize delays which will enhance patient care and satisfaction. Most importantly, the enhanced capacity will support the increasing demand for Emergency Services in Yakima County by 30 patients per day, and 10,950 per year.
Brian Gibbons, President and CEO, Astria Health, said, "We are deeply grateful that $1.5 million has been designated in the FY26 Agriculture Appropriations bill to support Astria Toppenish Hospital’s Emergency Department Enhancement Project. This investment demonstrates a strong commitment to sustaining access to essential healthcare services for the Yakima Valley and surrounding communities."
Cathy Bambrick, CEO, Astria Toppenish Hospital, said, "Modernizing and expanding our Emergency Department is vital to preserving high-quality, compassionate care for the underserved populations we serve. This funding will allow us to create a safer, more efficient environment for patients and staff while strengthening our ability to meet the community’s growing healthcare needs."
Coulee Medical Center
Amount: $3,020,475
Project: Relief for the Rural Health Workforce Project
This project will ensure the availability of safe, dependable living space for health professionals working at the hospital, Coulee Medical Center (CMC) proposes the construction of 30 modular housing units. These housing units will be located at an approximately 5-acre CMC-owned property adjacent to the hospital, providing critical care personnel with accessible accommodations that are significantly closer than St. Rita’s. Each unit will span approximately 357 square feet, and will include a bed, bathroom, and kitchen. Based on the current and anticipated demands of CMC staff, 30 units were determined as an appropriate number to maximize the availability of private living staff while leveraging federal investment responsibly and efficiently.
Kelly Hughes, CEO, Coulee Medical Center, said, "Coulee Medical Center is grateful to Congressman Newhouse for his steadfast efforts to secure federal funding for our Relief for the Rural Health Workforce Project” said Kelly Hughes, CEO of Coulee Medical Center. “This investment will enable Coulee Medical Center to move forward with the construction of safe and accessible accommodations for dedicated healthcare professionals to utilize while they serve our community. We appreciate the Congressman’s partnership on this vital project."
Skyline Health Center
Amount: $3,000,000
Project: Advancing Rural Surgical Services Project
As the community of White Salmon, WA continues to grow and expand, so does the need to provide high-quality accessible care. This project will expand Surgical Services by renovating existing facility space and increasing the capacity of Skyline Health to provide new essential services to meet the current community need and prepare for future growth. A modern Surgical Center at Skyline will allow the hospital to recruit specialists and medical staff who will be critical for the hospital’s continued growth of services.
Matt Kollman, CEO, Skyline Health, said, "Rural communities like White Salmon need reliable, safe, and high-quality healthcare to survive. Choosing to live in a rural community shouldn't condemn you to second-class care. Skyline has enjoyed a great partnership with our federal delegation, including Rep. Newhouse, that has helped Skyline continue to provide high quality care and to grow to provide for the future needs of our friends and neighbors. Rep Newhouse's leadership on behalf of Skyline will have generational impact. Rep. Newhouse has always been willing to listen to our hospital and engage with us on the important and complex topic of healthcare. Skyline thanks Rep. Newhouse for his sponsorship of our project in the U.S. House of Representatives."
Toppenish Police Department
Amount: $500,000
Project: Permanent Police Precinct
Toppenish, WA faces significant challenges, with crime rates higher than 98.7% of other U.S. cities and higher than any neighboring cities in the region. This underscores the urgent need for proper police infrastructure to support the department and the nearly 10,000 residents it serves. The city has approved the purchase of a building to serve as a permanent police precinct.
Elpidia Saavedra, Mayor of the City of Toppenish, said, "The City of Toppenish extends its heartfelt appreciation to Congressman Dan Newhouse for his continued support and advocacy. As a predominantly Latino, agricultural, and low-income community, Toppenish faces unique challenges that make federal investment especially impactful. The inclusion of funding for the Toppenish Police Department Project represents a meaningful investment in the safety, stability, and well-being of our residents. We look forward to continued partnership with Congressman Newhouse in future appropriations that will further benefit our residents and advance priority projects within our city."
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