Local hospitals discuss Moss Regional cuts
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 12:51 PM
By John Guidroz / American Press
While it is too early to know how Moss Regional Medical Center will absorb more than $11 million in cuts, officials with two local hospitals said Monday they are willing to help provide patients with care.
LSU health system officials last week announced their funding plan, which calls for about $50 million in cuts to its facilities. Moss Regional is one of two hospitals that will face the most severe cuts, with $5.1 million cut from inpatient services and $1.9 million cut from clinical operations.
Larry Graham, president and CEO of Lake Charles Memorial Health System, said in an email that the cuts are “a huge financial blow to Moss Regional” and that they will work to accommodate with any changes resulting from them.
“As the community hospital for Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles Memorial has a long history of experience working with the state to serve the majority of Medicaid patients in our five-parish area,” he said. “We are prepared to step up and provide care to our current and future patients during this changing funding climate.”
Women & Children’s Hospital CEO Bryan Bateman agreed, saying in an email that the hospital “will work with the facility to provide a continuum of care for their patients, should the need arise.
“Until we know which operations or services will be affected, it’s too early to pinpoint where we can assist,” he added.
Medicaid Cuts
Jennings American Legion Hospital will feel some financial strain from state cuts in Medicaid, but is working to overcome the loss, according to hospital CEO Dana Williams.
“We are looking at ways to try to reduce expenses and identify opportunities for growth because we are committed to providing the services necessary to our community,” Williams said.
Right now, there are no planned cuts in jobs or services for the 60-bed facility, which is the only hospital in Jefferson Davis Parish, she said.
The cuts will mean in excess of $1 million to the local hospital, but Williams said they will not affect the quality of care patients receive.
“We are committed to maintaining the quality of care that we provide here,” she said, noting that the hospital has been established for more than 50 years.
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Staff Writer Doris Maricle contributed to this report.
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