The local group working to reform health care in the Acadiana area will hold its second meeting Wednesday, December 8. Warren Hebert, chairman of the Region 4 Health Care Consortium, said the focus of the meeting is to divide the group into several working subcommittees and to conduct strategic planning.

This meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Woman’s Foundation (Woman’s and Children’s Hospital complex), 4630 Ambassador Caffery Parkway.

At the first meeting of the group in Nov., Hebert was elected chairman. Other officers include Charlotte Dupre, vice chair; Paul Molbert, parliamentarian; and Pam Quirk, secretary.

“Our goal is to fully coordinate the efforts of this local group with the work being done by Gov. Blanco’s Health Care Reform Panel,” Hebert said. “The work of this group is vital to ensuring that the unique needs of the Acadiana region are represented. Just as important, we’ll use the momentum generated by Gov. Blanco and her group to help us accomplish some reforms that might be very specific to the needs of local citizens and our existing health care infrastructure.”

Members of the public are invited to attend, and there is opportunity for public comment.

There are 61 members on the Region 4 Consortium, and Hebert said this level of involvement demonstrates the interest in improving health care in the area. “Our people are committed to the idea of making health care work better, and be more efficient and effective for the communities in the area. With this amount of interest and professional knowledge, I am excited about the future.”

More information about the activities of the Region 4 Health Care Consortium, and other regional consortia throughout Louisiana, can be found on the Department of Health and Hospitals’ Web site at http://www.dhh.state.la.us. Minutes from each consortium meeting will be posted on the Web site.

WHAT:      2nd meeting of the Region 4 Health Care Consortium
WHEN:     Wednesday, Dec. 8 @ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE:   Woman’s Foundation (Woman’s and Children’s Hospital complex)
               4630 Ambassador Caffery Parkway