A local Louisiana councilmember wants to disqualify Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America from the process to lease two public hospitals, according to a Times-Picayune report.
HCA is one of three suitors to lease East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La., and West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La. The others are Louisiana Children's Medical Center and Ochsner Health System, both based in New Orleans.
According to the report, Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet wants to oust HCA from the process because of a settlement HCA made with the federal government in 2000. The settlement involved accusations of Medicare fraud.
In response, HCA said those issues have been "resolved for more than a decade," according to the report.
HCA and Children's are the frontrunners for the lease. HCA has offered more than $500 million, while Children's has offered around $400 million. Council members have previously said the lease payment amounts won't necessarily be the main motivating factor behind their decision.
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