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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 106
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of Linda Kimbrough Welch, lobbyist and former executive director of the
Rural Hospital Coalition.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Senate of the
Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing of Linda Welch, a beloved friend and
trusted ally, on Tuesday, April 29, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Linda Kimbrough Welch was born on June 6, 1946, in Mt. Olive,
Mississippi, the youngest daughter of parents James and Katherine Temple Kimbrough; and
WHEREAS, reared in Baton Rouge, Linda graduated from Istrouma High School,
attended Louisiana State University where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Business
Administration in 1970, and later completed post graduate studies in advanced auditing and
governmental accounting; and
WHEREAS, Linda Welch experienced great success with a lifelong career in the
field of health care as a lobbyist and consultant on all manner of health management issues
that included audits, budgets, and reimbursement methodologies; and
WHEREAS, for nearly twenty years Linda afforded her leadership to the Rural
Hospital Coalition and collaborated with health care providers to coordinate medical services
in rural settings in the most efficient manner; and during that same time period, she was the
owner of HealthCare Solutions, LLC; and
WHEREAS, her career in health care began at the Department of Health and
Hospitals; first as chief auditor where she reviewed and approved all Medicaid audits; then
as director of institutional reimbursement where she was involved in budget development,
audits, and rate-setting procedures; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, Linda became president and CEO of the Rural Hospital
Coalition and made extraordinary strides to improve the availability of health care
disciplines and delivery systems throughout the state; and SR NO. 106 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Linda Welch was instrumental in forging collaborative partnerships
between health care providers, federal agencies, and the Department of Health and Hospitals,
creating possibilities for shared technologies, resources, and expanded opportunities for the
distribution of exceptional health services; and
WHEREAS, Linda fought the good fight until the very end of her life; she is
preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Earl Welch Sr., her parents, a brother,
James Kimbrough, and a sister, Mary Kimbrough Womack; and
WHEREAS, Linda is survived by her children, Kenneth Earl Welch Jr.,
Mary Robyn Welch, and Jamie Marie Welch; five grandchildren, a host of close friends, and
extended family; and
WHEREAS, Linda Welch will forever be remembered by those whose lives she
touched with her graciousness as a health care advocate, a loving mother, a kind sister, and
a generous woman who gave back to those in her life and in her community; and
WHEREAS, Linda Welch shall be remembered in the halls of the Louisiana
Legislature for her honesty, forthright attitude, intelligence, and for her diligence in securing
preventative and long-term health care services for the rural communities of this state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express its sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of
Linda Kimbrough Welch, former executive director of the Rural Hospital Coalition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Linda Kimbrough Welch.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE