DHH Provides Additional Funding to Baton Rouge General to Keep ER Open

Wednesday, August 27, 2014  |  Contact: Olivia Watkins, cell (225) 610-8660 or olivia.w@la.gov

Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has been in discussions with officials from the Baton Rouge General this morning to develop a solution that would ensure the Mid-City campus emergency room would remain open. The statement below is from DHH Secretary Kathy H. Kliebert regarding the Department's discussions and its commitment to the Baton Rouge community:

"We are committed to protecting access to care in the Baton Rouge community. The Department has identified a solution that provides additional uncompensated care funding to Baton Rouge General Hospital that meets their current needs and allows this critical component of the region's health care delivery network to continue providing emergency room services. Our discussions with the Baton Rouge General leadership this morning confirmed that, as a result of this additional funding, they will continue to operate the ER. We'll be working with all of our regional health care partners to develop a plan that ensures the sustainability of emergency services in Mid-City Baton Rouge."

 The Baton Rouge General has accepted this solution and will soon announce their decision to keep the emergency room open. 

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