The General Assembly approved funding for improvements and new construction on the IU Medical Center and the regional medical center campuses. The General Assembly also enacted SB 514, which establishes the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. Legislative action will make it possible for the second phase of construction on the John D. VanNuys Medical Science Building to begin. Last fall, a new wing was dedicated on the west side of the building.
Plans call for the original portion of the building to be extensively remodeled.
The legislature also approved funding for improvements and new construction on the regional medical center campuses. No timetable was available for start of the various projects. Originally named the Biomedical Research Initiative, the 21st Century legislation, which was sponsored by the Indiana Health Industry Forum, establishes a grant program for Indiana researchers in biomedical, biotechnology and other high technology areas. I am very pleased with their show of support for research with the funding of the biomedical research initiate and their far-sightedness in making the research more plausible by financing improvements to the VanNuys and regional medical centers projects. IU earned recognition from the Forum administration for the school's contributions in envisioning and promoting the Initiative.