health care

Christus Health To Close Main Shreveport Hospital

Kate Archer Kent — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:07:00 +0000

Christus Health will close its Christus Schumpert St. Mary's Place medical complex in Shreveport and consolidate many services into its Highland Medical Center in Shreveport. CEO Stephen Wright announced at a news conference Monday that the cost cutting move will eliminate 200 jobs over the next two years, trimming its workforce by about 10 percent.

Ochsner's Transplant Team Heralded

Susan Hidalgo-Smith — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:42:00 +0000

The Multi-Transplant Institute Team at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans was recognized as Number One in the U.S. for the year 2012 by CareChex, based on mortality and complication rates.

Dr. Nigel Girgrah, Liver Transplant Director, says Ochsner's Living Donor Program helps prevent deaths of patients on the waiting list by reducing wait times.

Interviews: Former LSU Hospitals Chief Dr. Fred Cerise, Saxophonist Brad Walker

editor — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Former LSU Hospitals head Dr. Fred Cerise discusses health care challenges facing the state and the LSU hospital system...and the disagreement over accepting the federal Medicaid expansion included in the Affordable Care act.

A visit with New Orleans composer and saxophonist Brad Walker.

Unanswered Questions Remain Weeks After Baton Rouge Charity Hospital Closes

Ashley Westerman — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:38:00 +0000

Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge closed its doors for good last month. The cooperative endeavor agreement between the hospital, the state and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for the take-over and eventual shutdown of EKL was reached more than two years ago.

Erica Barham, Kimberly Burkett and Lauren Richard are all former Registered Nurse Supervisors in the EKL Emergency Room. Mental Health Emergency Room Extension Supervisor Amy Germain also used to work there.

They tell WRKF’s Ashley Westerman the transition was bungled and even on closing day, critical questions about how patients would get care and follow-up remained unanswered.

De-Institutionalizing Louisiana, Part Two: Demand vs. Expansion

Ashley Westerman — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:02:00 +0000

In Boyce, La., St. Mary’s Residential Training School offers both residential care and educational services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

This concludes our two-part series on the state’s goal to wind down the number of individuals living in places like St. Mary’s.

Bill To Create Hospitalization Stablization Formula Passes With Few Details

Ashley Westerman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:04:00 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to try and maintain the level of funding to hospitals that take Medicaid patients.

Report Says Thousands Of Louisianans Could Qualify For Insurance Subsidies

Kate Archer Kent — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:01:00 +0000

A new report estimates that nearly 353,000 Louisianans will be eligible for federal subsidies to offset the cost of a health insurance premium, making coverage affordable for lower-income families when the new health care law takes effect next year. But the head of the Louisiana Consumer Healthcare Coalition finds that many residents don’t understand how these "premium tax credits" work.

PAR: More Info Needed to Make Medicaid Expansion Decision for Louisiana

Ashley Westerman — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:43:00 +0000

The state legislature’s Joint Insurance Committee met Wednesday to discuss the Affordable Care Act and two crucial, yet voluntary, measures: setting up state health insurance exchanges and expanding Medicaid.

At that meeting a representative from the Public Affairs Research Council said Louisiana doesn’t have enough information to make a truly informed decision on implementing the healthcare reform law.

PAR’s Principle Health Advisor Don Gregory recently authored a study about the research done so far on the implications of expanding Medicaid in Louisiana. He says other states have worked to figure out not just the costs, but also the benefits of insuring the uninsured.

Physicians Explore Alternative Approaches to Alzheimer's Care

Susan Hidalgo-Smith — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Barbara Auten

Physicians treating patients with Alzheimer's are exploring new approaches to caring for people with the disease. Barbara Auten, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, is looking forward to the Keynote Address to be given by Dr. G.

La. Rep. Cassidy Co-Sponsors "Defund Obamacare Act"

Ashley Westerman — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:47:19 +0000

Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy has signed on to legislation that aims to defund President Obama’s health care reform law.