[StBernard] LRA Statement on LSU/VA Hospital Congressional Hearing

[Westley Annis]

Statement of Kim Boyle, Chairman, Louisiana Recovery Authority Health Care Committee Regarding Today's Hearing by the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs


BATON ROUGE, LA - "One of the top priorities in Louisiana's recovery is the return of high quality health care. The LRA has long supported the proposed joint LSU-VA medical center as critical to making this effort a reality for the tens of thousands of New Orleanians and military veterans who call this region home. Even more, the joint hospital initiative would save money by consolidating shared services and anchor the biomedical corridor that is so critical to New Orleans' recovery and future economic prosperity.

The recent commitment by Governor Kathleen Blanco, the LRA and the legislature to use state funds to replace $300 million in federal recovery grants for the project should eliminate any further delays in the LSU-VA partnership. Among those state funds is $74.5 million in cash to initiate the immediate acquisition of land for the joint hospitals. The state's commitment should prove to all concerned how determined we are to make this partnership a speedy success.

VA Secretary James Nicholson has demonstrated visionary commitment to Gulf Coast recovery and the well-being of the region's veterans. We look forward to working with him to make the LSU-VA medical center a reality."


Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

###