The Jefferson Parish Council unanimously voted yesterday to allow the two public hospitals in its district to be privatized, according to a report from The Advocate.
The council repealed a provision that had said any transaction involving 420-bed East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La., and 427-bed West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La., must be voted and approved by parish residents. Going forward, the two hospitals, both of which have declining finances, will be able to choose a partner without a public referendum, according to the report.
In May, the Jefferson Parish Council narrowed the list of potential suitors for East Jefferson and West Jefferson to three: Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America, Ochsner Health System in New Orleans and Louisiana Children's Medical Center, also in New Orleans.
More Articles on Hospital Transactions:
FTC Reviewing Tenet's Purchase of Emanuel Medical Center
Bowie Memorial Hospital Hunts for Partner
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center to Join CHE Trinity Health