Louisiana Medical Center, HCA Final Options for Jefferson Merger

The boards overseeing East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie, La., and West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La., have reached an impasse in deciding whether New Orleans-based Louisiana Children's Medical Center or Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corp. of America should run the two hospitals, according to a report from The Advocate.

The two boards failed to reach a consensus during a daylong, closed-door meeting Tuesday, with the West Jefferson board unanimously voting for Children's and all but one member of the East Jefferson board favoring HCA, according to the report. Hospital officials and Jefferson Parish Council members have declined to disclose details about the selection process publicly.

The council was supposed to make a final decision regarding the hospitals' acquisition Wednesday, but council chairman Chris Roberts delayed the meeting and told The Advocate the hospital boards wanted additional guidance from the council.

Ochsner Health System in New Orleans had previously been the third potential suitor.

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