Jackson Free Press

Despite concerns about the federal deficit and vows to cut out "pork-barrel spending," congressional earmarks and other sources of federal money are funding medical research and upgrades at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

During the last fiscal year, which ended in June, the medical center got $85 million for research and sponsored projects, the most grant and contract funding it has ever received. That's more than twice the amount it brought in three years ago, in fiscal year 2008, when UMMC brought in $39.7 million for what are called "sponsored projects."

Most of the funding for sponsored projects--$76.6 million--came from the federal government.

Some of the money went toward putting radio and broadband communications in every ambulance and emergency room. David Powe, chief administrative officer at UMMC, said the technology allows paramedics to communicate with UMMC's medical communications center, which guides them to the best hospital to treat their patient's injuries quickly. Emergency responders are already using radio, but the next phase of the project will put broadband systems in place to transmit data and images.

The $17.5 million for the new communications technology comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce, part of $70 million the state received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to upgrade its wireless network, according to a statement from UMMC.

Although some money, like the funding for the communications project, comes through agencies, about $14 million of the federal funding came from congressional earmarks, the statement said. Last year, Mississippi's senators signed a pledge vowing not to request any more earmarks for projects in their states, citing concerns about debt and overspending. Earmarks usually make up about 1 percent of the federal budget.

Despite having some concerns about tightening federal budgets, Powe said UMMC is working hard to get money from other sources.

"While we have concerns about the reduction based on the earmarks being eliminated, we have to refocus ourselves on identifying where funds are available," Powe said.

Powe said the medical center will work to get more research funding from agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, and other sources instead of earmarks. Powe said that although a lot of funding was earmarked, he feels that UMMC will be very competitive in getting grants from other sources.

A consultant hired by UMMC estimated that last year's sponsored projects had an economic impact of $160.1 million, through creating jobs for scientists, providing stipends for students and increasing spending on materials.

"What's important about federally sourced funding is that it's essentially new to Mississippi," Pamela Tazik, director of sponsored programs at UMMC, said in a statement. "It's not money that's just re-circulating within the state.