Scaled Back Plan for Louisiana University Hospital Still Faces Criticism

Despite a new "scaled back" development plan for the University Medical Center in New Orleans, critics are already condemning the proposal, according to a LTV news report.

University Medical Center is planned to replace LSU's Charity Hospital, which was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The current plan for University Medical Center, which is supported by Louisiana State University, is estimated to cost $1.2 billion for a 450-bed hospital. Sen. David Vitter and state Treasurer John Kennedy penned a new $800 million plan that includes the state acquiring two Tulane University hospitals and a new 250-bed hospital.

Larry Hollier, MD, Chancellor of LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, is one of the critics who spoke out against the new proposal. Among his concerns, Dr. Hollier said having three hospital campuses spread out across New Orleans would make it burdensome for students and physicians. The University Medical Center board of directors said it will meet with consultants and consider all options before making a final decision on which proposal it will pursue.

State lawmakers have previously voiced concerns about the public teaching hospital's lack of sustainability. A report by the Illinois-based consulting firm Kaufman Hall & Associates said the 424-bed teaching hospital would cost the state from $70 million to more than $100 million in subsidies each year. However, LSU official said the report overlooks the teaching purpose of the hospital.

Read the news report about University Medical Center in New Orleans.

Related Articles on University Medical Center:
New Orleans' University Medical Center May Need $100M Annual State Support
Louisiana Lawmakers Take Away $900M in Borrowing Authority From Planned Public Hospital
Lawmakers Concerned Over Price Tag of New Orleans' University Medical Center

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