For local news, I read an article in La Vanguardia about the recent signing for the construction of a transborder hospital in France and Catalunya. The government of Spain was represented by the Minister of Social Health, Trinidad Jiminez, while the government of France was represented by Roselyne Bachelot. This agreement to build a transborder hospital is the first of its kind in the European Union, and Jiminez hopes it will serve as an example to future projects. This construction is based on a common feeling between the two nations, and is a response to increased touristic pressures in the general area.
When completed in 2012, the hospital will give services to 30,000 citizens in both areas. The total cost of the construction will be 38.5 million euros, but 18.5 million euros has been covered by the E.U. through a grant. The rest of the cost will be shared between France and Catalunya. Officials see the project as a "worthwhile collaboration," which will demand the use of three languages and a new approach to healthcare. This is not the first project between France and Catalunya, as a high-speed train is currently being constructed between Barcelona and Paris. It is hard to believe that a hospital can be constructed on the border of two different countries. Living in the U.S., I could never see a hospital being built on the United States/Mexico border. I believe the idea of this project is beneficial to the European Union because it will bring countries together that would otherwise never collaborate in health care or other governmental issues.
For local news, I read an article in La Vanguardia about the recent signing for the construction of a transborder hospital in France and Catalunya. The government of Spain was represented by the Minister of Social Health, Trinidad Jiminez, while the government of France was represented by Roselyne Bachelot. This agreement to build a transborder hospital is the first of its kind in the European Union, and Jiminez hopes it will serve as an example to future projects. This construction is based on a common feeling between the two nations, and is a response to increased touristic pressures in the general area. 
When completed in 2012, the hospital will give services to 30,000 citizens in both areas. The total cost of the construction will be 38.5 million euros, but 18.5 million euros has been covered by the E.U. through a grant. The rest of the cost will be shared between France and Catalunya. Officials see the project as a "worthwhile collaboration," which will demand the use of three languages and a new approach to healthcare. This is not the first project between France and Catalunya, as a high-speed train is currently being constructed between Barcelona and Paris. It is hard to believe that a hospital can be constructed on the border of two different countries. Living in the U.S., I could never see a hospital being built on the United States/Mexico border. I believe the idea of this project is beneficial to the European Union because it will bring countries together that would otherwise never collaborate in health care or other governmental issues. 
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