Gov. Rick Perry today signed House Bill 4586, the supplemental appropriations bill that includes $150 million in funding to help the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston recover from Hurricane Ike. The governor also signed HB 4409, which reforms the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
“The past year was especially difficult for this community as Hurricane Ike destroyed homes, displaced our citizens and knocked out one of only three Level 1 trauma centers in this area,” Gov. Perry said. “I am pleased that the Legislature has funded a number of key initiatives that will help UTMB continue to serve this community by treating patients, training doctors and setting the standard for medical excellence in this area.”
Funding for UTMB includes repairing educational, research, hospital and clinic space, and permitting its Trauma Center to reopen Aug. 1 and regain its Level 1 status in early 2010.
Dr. David L. Callender, UTMB president, thanked Gov. Perry and state lawmakers.
“It is impossible to imagine where UTMB would be without you and your legislative colleagues throughout the state who advocated — and voted — for UTMB’s recovery,” Callender said. “Because of you, this institution remains true to a motto that has served us well for more than a century: ‘UTMB stops for no storm!’ This puts UTMB on the path of recovering, rebuilding and continuing our role of making vital contributions to the health and well-being of our community, the region and the state.”
State Rep. Craig Eiland of Galveston said that the signing was a great day for the region.
“Today is really the start of the rebirth of the island. Now that people know that UTMB really is coming back bigger and better, people will have the confidence to make their own investments and commitments,” Eiland said. “With the joint commitments of the State of Texas, the UT System Board of Regents, the Sealy & Smith Foundation and the city and county we can look forward to getting our Level 1 trauma center open and relieve some of the burden on the Houston hospitals and start taking care of the working families who have depended on us for so long.”
Additionally, on Wednesday Gov. Perry signed HB 51 authorizing the issuance of $150 million in tuition revenue bonds for Hurricane Ike recovery at UTMB. These funds will be used to build a new hospital tower near the existing John Sealy Hospital and to restore bed capacity to 550, as it was prior to Hurricane Ike. These funds will be matched by a $200 million contribution from the Sealy & Smith Foundation.