Ciscomani Secures More Than $3 Million for Rural Health Care Projects, Supports Key Education Priorities in FY2027 Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani yesterday announced more than $3.1 million in Community Project Funding for critical health care projects across Southeastern Arizona is one step closer to being secured. Ciscomani supported the final passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which included the CPF projects as well as key investments in education, early childhood development, and medical research through the, which was approved by the full House Appropriations Committee.

The bill includes increased support for Head Start by $10 million, increased funding for Pell Grants, and more than $3.1 million for local health care projects across Arizona's Sixth District.

"As Arizona's representative on the House Appropriations Committee, I'm focused on delivering results for Southern Arizona," said Rep. Ciscomani. "This bill increases funding for Head Start and TREO programs, strengthens Pell Grants to expand educational opportunities, supports critical medical research - specifically women's healthcare and Alzheimer's research - and secures millions of new dollars for health care projects across Arizona's Sixth District rural communities. That includes expanding Benson Hospital's emergency department and laboratory, replacing mammography equipment at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center to improve early cancer detection, and helping restore access to primary care in San Manuel with a new community health clinic. These investments will strengthen rural communities, improve access to care, and help ensure families across Southeastern Arizona have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed."

Earlier yesterday, Ciscomani joined Strolling Thunder on the National Mall, where he spoke in support of early childhood development and the importance of investing in programs that help children and families succeed. As a father of six, Ciscomani has consistently emphasized the importance of ensuring children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. This is second time Ciscomani has joined the national event and piggybacks off his three Head Start facility visits since his time in Congress:

• In December 2023, Ciscomani visited the Head Start program in Tucson
• In August 2024, Ciscomani visited the Head Start program in Casa Grande
• In September 2024, Ciscomani attended the Head Start on the Hill Rally to hear from educators and senior Head Start officials about the importance of early childhood development programs
• In May 2025, Ciscomani visited the Head Start program in Eloy

The FY27 Labor HHS funding package also includes meaningful investments in medical research, including increased funding for women's health initiatives, Alzheimer's research, and cancer research, building on Ciscomani's longstanding efforts to support lifesaving research and innovation.

Rural health care remains another key priority of the bill, which provides $1.85 billion for Community Health Centers and $575 million for rural hospitals at risk of closure, helping ensure access to care in medically underserved communities across Arizona and the nation.

Community Project Funding for Arizona's Sixth Congressional District

Benson Hospital: Emergency Department and Laboratory Expansion

$2 million

Funding will expand Benson Hospital's emergency department and construct a modern laboratory to meet growing patient demand. Benson Hospital serves as a Critical Access Hospital and Level IV Trauma Center for southeastern Arizona, providing essential care for residents and travelers along a major transportation corridor between Tucson and New Mexico.

Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center: Mammography Equipment Replacement

$650,000

Funding will replace aging mammography equipment at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, a Critical Access Hospital serving Graham County. The project will enhance early breast cancer detection, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to lifesaving diagnostic services in rural Arizona.

Sun Life Health: San Manuel Clinic Replacement

$500,000

Funding will support the demolition of a shuttered community health center and construction of a new modular clinic in San Manuel. The 5,000-square-foot facility will restore access to primary care services in a community currently without local medical care and will include six exam rooms, with space adaptable for medical or dental procedures.

The passing of this funding bill marks the ninth of twelve annual appropriations bills to advance through the House Appropriations Committee and prioritizes programs that expand educational opportunity, strengthen rural health care, support lifesaving medical research, and responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. The Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act now advances to the House floor for consideration.

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