April 09, 2008 DHH-LSU Issue Joint Statement on Future of Academic Teaching Hospital in New OrleansAgreement on need for new teaching hospital, proper planning

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Apr 09, 2008 -

Baton Rouge – Today, Alan Levine, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and Dr. Fred Cerise, Vice President for Health Affairs and Medical Education with Louisiana State University, released the following joint statement:

The Louisiana Department of Health is conducting a review of the proposed business plan for the building of a new academic hospital in New Orleans.  Louisiana State University and its medical training partners, including Tulane University and others, are participating in the review process, with the goal of concluding a thorough review within the next two months.

The review is focused on ensuring the proper size, scope and cost of the new hospital with the purposes of providing world class academic training and needed tertiary services such as trauma and other highly specialized services appropriately provided in an academic setting, while assuring the providing of care for the uninsured.

All efforts to acquire the property – already designated through the consensus of the Veterans Administration and local officials – are continuing, including seeking the proper approvals from federal historical preservation and environmental agencies.

Subject to successful completion of the environmental and historical preservation review process, there will be a new hospital in downtown New Orleans.

The process continues, with the goal of ensuring maximum success in both financing and the ongoing operations of the new hospital. The taxpayers should expect no less.