SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -
Louisiana Treasury Secretary John Kennedy says the state needs to slow down and not panic over its health care budget, especially when it comes to discussions about selling LSU Medical Center in Shreveport.
Kennedy agrees with Governor Bobby Jindal that changes are needed to overcome a potential $800 million loss of federal funds, but selling the state's-best managed hospital should not be an option.
Last month, Louisiana's Secretary of Health and Hospitals Bruce Greenstein said, "LSU is now engaged in looking at many models. I'm not aware if they have put a 'for sale' sign up, or they're talking to potential suitors for that. But I know they are talking to a number of organizations to explore different types of models. LSU (needs) to make some changes pretty fast, and it's of the proportion that business as usual is not an option."
September also saw LSU Medical Center employees, Caddo Commissioner Ken Epperson and State Representative Barbara Norton rally outside the hospital. They all said privatizing the facility would hurt jobs, salaries and the quality of service it gives to patients.
To date, LSU Medical Center says no decisions regarding cuts or a potential sale have been made.
Kennedy says Louisiana Lawmakers may hold a special session to determine a solution.
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