If the legislature decides to cut its way through the billion dollar budget gap, private health care providers warn the consequences would be dire. If the Department of Health sustains the kinds of cuts being discussed, public-private facilities would be on the chopping block. Our Lady of the Lake President Scott Wester says those cuts would mean the end of their partnership with the state, LSU, and LDH.
Wester says, "A zero budget for the public-private partnership, specifically in Baton Rouge, really causes a termination in our agreement."
Wester says that would end care for tens of thousands of patients with a variety of health issues.
Wester says that pharmacies and other health care centers could be subject to "closure" if budget cuts against health care are carried out.
Our Lady of the Lake has a robust residency program that allows hundreds of aspiring doctors get the experience necessary to complete their education. Wester says if the cuts go through, hundreds of LSU students would lose that opportunity.
Wester says that the school of medicine would be put into "immediate jeopardy."
Wester says the cuts would also damage rural hospitals and nursing homes.