[StBernard] Governor reviews LSU University Hospital Business Plan

[Westley Annis]

Governor reviews LSU University Hospital Business Plan

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Office of Facility Planning formally submitted a comprehensive business plan today for a new university teaching and research hospital to Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, legislators and Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). The Governor called for a full analysis of this plan by all parties involved. 

Statement by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco: 

"I urge the Legislature and Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) to do a thorough analysis of this business plan for a new teaching and research hospital. 

"Louisiana needs a hospital that thrives as a new model for health care delivery in the New Orleans region. As the hurricane impacted region rebuilds its health care infrastructure, I have consistently called for a new model that moves away from the traditional charity system and into a university research and teaching hospital that can provide specialized care to all citizens in addition to the needy and uninsured. This new strategy would serve as an economic engine for the region.

"This new hospital must generate not only enough revenue to cover the cost of the building and infrastructure but also prosper under a different payor mix model. Successful university hospitals both in Louisiana and across the country have been able to support themselves due to a sufficient mix of public and private patients and this proposed hospital must do so as well. We have the unique opportunity to partner with the Veterans Administration for a new VA hospital and we must do so in a timely manner to take full advantage of the efficiencies that are provided in a joint hospital. 

"The appropriate hospital model should be determined by deliberative analysis of this proposal with feedback from all stakeholders. Self-reliance and sustainability must be the overriding consideration of this debate as we focus on the viability of the business plan. 

"I look forward to additional perspective and comment by legislators and LRA members as we continue a full review of this plan."

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org