The Louisiana Department of Health (DHH) has accepted an invitation from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) to join health care leaders for a community meeting on Tuesday, March 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Star Hill Baptist Church to discuss access to health care services in Mid City and North Baton Rouge. Hospital leaders will discuss how they are expanding access to care for the Mid City community, including both increased emergency room access and expanded access to urgent care clinics for some individuals without insurance.

LDH will join the Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Lane Regional Medical Center, LSU Health Baton Rouge, Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in the meeting hosted by BRAF. The meeting will address community concerns about how and where to access care following the planned closure of the Baton Rouge General's Mid City emergency room on March 31. LSU Health Baton Rouge will present information about how individuals without insurance at 200 percent of the federal poverty level and below may to enroll in the LSU Health Baton Rouge system, including some efforts being made to streamline the enrollment process.

Earlier this month, a coalition of health care leaders announced plans to increase ER access as well as plans by LSU Health Baton Rouge to expand hours at the Mid City Urgent Care Center that was opened on Dec. 14, 2014. Beginning March 23, the clinic will expand its hours to stay open for community members from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to data provided by the Baton Rouge General, approximately 80 percent of all visits to the Mid City ER are for care that could be provided in an urgent care or clinic setting. The coalition of health care leaders will also work together over the next several months to share information with the public about when to access care at the right place at the right time.

  • What: 
    • Community meeting with health care leaders
  • When: 
    • Tuesday, March 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Where: 
    • Star Hill Baptist Church, 1400 North Foster Drive
  • Who: 
    • Baton Rouge General Medical Center 
    • Lane Regional Medical Center
    • Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
    • LSU Health Baton Rouge
    • Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge
    • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
    • The Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Press Availability
This community meeting is open to the press. Interview access with coalition members will be held after the conclusion of the meeting.

 

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