[StBernard] St. Bernard to get hospital by end of 2010

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard to get hospital by end of 2010

10:11 PM CDT on Friday, June 6, 2008

WWLTV.com 

A deal has been signed to bring a 40-bed permanent hospital to St. Bernard
Parish by the end of 2010. 


St. Bernard's primary health care has been provided out of a mobile facility
since Katrina and the announcement of a permanent building is a significant
step forward, according to Parish President Craig Taffaro. 


"It not only gives a symbolic gesture of safety and security, but it's gonna
be one of those things that serves as an economic engine to our recovery,"
he said. 


Taffaro says the hospital is part of a long list of things to do to get St.
Bernard back on its feet and help lure former residents to come home. 


"So many people who are considering returning have mentioned that the
presence of a hospital is a major factor in their decision," said Taffaro.
"This is one of those top probably two or three issues for most people in
the recovery of our parish." 


The facility will likely be built just across Judge Perez Drive from the
parish governmental complex. 


The funding for the hospital was helped along after the parish council
created a 'hospital service district' that will receive $25 million to help
with the hospital's construction.