Shriners Hospitals for Children�s commitment to the health and care of children will have a larger price tag.

The 2008 budget of $826 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children reflects an increase of $105 million over the 2007 figures. In 2008, it will cost the health care system $2.26 million every day to continue providing the best medical care possible. As has been true for 85 years, all treatment and services will be provided at no charge to patients and families. This impressive financial commitment is tangible evidence of Shriners Hospitals� continued dedication to the health and future of our children.

The 2008 budget figures reflect an acute awareness of the continuing escalation of health care costs, the need to offer competitive salaries in order to attract and retain the best physicians, a commitment to excellent facilities and the importance of implementing the latest, most effective medical and information technologies.

�Despite the expense, Shriners Hospitals for Children remains completely confident we will continue to provide the best possible medical care to children, at no cost to them, far into the future,� said Ralph Semb, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. �The 2008 budget reflects our total commitment to our mission of providing the highest quality care for our patients, providing educational opportunities for health care professionals and conducting research to discover new knowledge to improve the quality of life for children around the world. In 2008, this commitment will cost $26.19 every second of every minute of every hour of every day throughout the year.�

The 22 Shriners Hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico have a total budget of $826 million for 2008. Of that amount, $678 million is designated for the hospital operating budget, which includes patient care, teaching, administrative expenses, depreciation and the daily expenses for all the Shriners hospitals. In addition, $44 million has been dedicated to medical research, an increasingly important part of the health care system's mission.

The budget for building and equipment expenditures has been increased to $104 million, representing a continued commitment to renovation and new construction, as well as electronic medical records and other technological improvements.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge � regardless of financial need.