Flooded hospital seeks federal cash for expansion-WEB ONLY

Hospital officials had planned to break ground last fall on construction of a project that included a five-story pavilion, some 60 private patient rooms and an expanded emergency department.

Those plans, however, were put on hold by the June 7 flooding that hit much of central and southern Indiana, heavily damaging the hospital’s first floor and basement and forcing its evacuation and closure.

Jim Bickel, Columbus Regional’s CEO, said the federal money being sought would get expansion back on track after the hospital saw $211 million in total flood losses, including $123 million from property and equipment damage.

The hospital is seeking federal stimulus money through the governor’s office and a federal appropriation through the office of Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.).

Bickel said he did not know when to expect any responses and that establishing a new timeline for the expansion was premature.

“We’re exploring any other funding avenues out there that might get this going again,” he said.

The hospital’s plan before the flood was to use its $40 million building fund and obtain about $60 million in financing for the expansion. Bickel said full funding would make that financing unnecessary.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency last month gave the hospital $46 million, bringing total flood-recovery assistance to about $60 million. The hospital’s insurance agency paid $25 million toward the repairs, and Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation contributed $2 million to help repair the emergency department.

The hospital’s emergency department reopened nearly two months after the flood, while surgical and inpatient services were shut down for nearly five months.