Bill Passes To Provide Funding For New Hospital In Lafayette County

A bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly would provide federal relief funding to support a local hospital. Assembly Bill 390 would direct Governor Tony Evers to provide $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington. The bill was authored by Representatives Todd Novak, of Dodgeville, Travis Tranel of Cuba City, and Tony Kurtz of Wonewoc.  Lafayette County officials are considering a proposed plan to construct a $51.5 million facility on the south side of Darlington to replace the existing hospital. Constructed in 1952, Memorial Hospital is the only county-funded hospital remaining in Wisconsin. The $4 million in federal funding would reduce the amount of money the county would need to borrow for the project. County officials also are considering a proposal to construct a new home for Lafayette Manor, which is estimated to cost $37.8 million. The bill must pass the Wisconsin Senate before being considered by Evers.