WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced today that more than $1 million in crucial federal funding is a step closer to coming to four Southern Arizona health care providers.

"The hard-working families of Southern Arizona send billions of dollars in taxes to the U.S. Treasury every year," said Giffords.

"My job as their representative in Congress is to make sure as many of those dollars as possible make their way back to Southern Arizona."

Earlier this year, Giffords requested $9.8 million in federal funding for projects at the University of Arizona Medical Center, the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Chiricahua Community Health Centers and Marana Health Center.

Late Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee agreed to allocate $1,095,000 to the health care providers as part of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

That bill now goes before the full House of Representatives.

"I used a great deal of discretion in deciding which district projects or programs deserved my support," Giffords said.

"I closely evaluated each request. I made sure that each was a wise use of taxpayer dollars. The four requests approved Wednesday clearly meet that standard."

A list of the institutions and the appropriations is below.

Chiricahua Community Health Centers

Requested: $1,825,000

Appropriated: $400,000

This request is for funds to help fund construction and/or renovation of critically needed facilities in Cochise County.

Marana Health Center

Requested: $1,000,000

Appropriated: $125,000

This request is for funds to purchase the major items and equipment that will be required for the new Health Center.

University of Arizona Medical Center - ER Expansion

(also requested by U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva)

Requested: $4,000,000

Appropriated: $400,000

This request is for funds to replace, expand and modernize the current Emergency Department, including Emergency Services, Trauma, Urgent Care, and construct a Clinical Decision Unit.

University of Arizona College of Medicine

(also requested by Grijalva)

Requested: $3,000,000

Appropriated: $170,000

This request is for funds to help build a consortium whose mission is to prevent and manage diabetes.

Special emphasis will be placed on for Native American, Hispanic and elderly populations in the Southwest.