SLS 162ES-213 ORIGINAL 2016 Second Extraordinary Session SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25 BY SENATORS THOMPSON, MILKOVICH AND TARVER SENATE. Expresses support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's safety net hospitals. 1 A RESOLUTION 2 To express support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's safety net 3 hospitals and deliver vital health care services throughout the state. 4 WHEREAS, a reduction in federal funding for the Louisiana Medicaid program was 5 included in a transportation bill passed by the United States Congress and signed into law 6 on July 6, 2012, which resulted in a net decrease of over eight hundred fifty million dollars 7 in the Medicaid budget of this state in state fiscal year 2012-2013; and 8 WHEREAS, pursuant to this reduction in Medicaid funding, the Department of 9 Health and Hospitals addressed the shortfall by eliminating funding for state hospitals 10 operated by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and 11 Mechanical College (LSU); and 12 WHEREAS, the state has developed public-private partnerships since 2012 for the 13 delivery of health services at LSU hospital facilities which are now operated by private 14 health care enterprises, with the terms and conditions for such service delivery set forth in 15 cooperative endeavor agreements among the state and private providers; and 16 WHEREAS, the primary purpose of the public-private partnerships is to ensure 17 multiple points of community access and the delivery of cost-effective medical care for all 18 Louisiana citizens; and Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 25 SLS 162ES-213 ORIGINAL 1 WHEREAS, private providers that broaden access, choice, and cost-effective care 2 in a community are the ideal partners for these former charity hospitals in their mission of 3 serving the health care needs of the people of this state; and 4 WHEREAS, the availability of multiple health care providers in a community drives 5 down health care costs, increases choices among patients for care, and improves the quality 6 of care and health outcomes; and 7 WHEREAS, in terms of fiscal and public health policy, it is in the best interest of this 8 state to continue or initiate public-private hospital partnerships which enhance access to 9 consumer-centered health care and cost-effective health services delivery. 10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana 11 does hereby express support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's 12 safety net hospitals and deliver vital health care services throughout the state. 13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does 14 hereby declare that the best interests of this state are served through partnerships for 15 operation of Louisiana's safety net hospitals with partners that increase the number and 16 availability of health care providers in a given community or market. 17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 18 chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans, the 19 chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, the 20 secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and the commissioner of administration. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck. DIGEST SR 25 Original 2016 Second Extraordinary Session Thompson Expresses support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's safety net hospitals and deliver vital health care services throughout the state. Page 2 of 2