St. Francis Medical Center is again considering closing its century-old downtown Monroe campus and consolidating all acute care operations at its U.S. 165 North facility.
Kristin Wolkart, the hospital's chief executive, tells local media outlets the hospital's board will meet on Sept. 9 to discuss the move.
St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.
Wolkart said the hospital continues to struggle with some of the lowest Medicaid and uncompensated care reimbursements in the state.
Mayor Jamie Mayo and state Sen. Francis Thompson say their top priority if the hospital consolidates is preserving an emergency center in downtown Monroe.
St. Francis' downtown emergency center, unlike the rest of the campus, is a modern facility recently upgraded.