2016 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25
BY SENATORS THOMPSON, MILKOVICH, PEACOCK, RISER, TARVER AND
WALSWORTH
A RESOLUTION
To express support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's safety net
hospitals and deliver vital health care services throughout the state.
WHEREAS, a reduction in federal funding for the Louisiana Medicaid program was
included in a transportation bill passed by the United States Congress and signed into law
on July 6, 2012, which resulted in a net decrease of over eight hundred fifty million dollars
in the Medicaid budget of this state in state fiscal year 2012-2013; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this reduction in Medicaid funding, the Department of
Health and Hospitals addressed the shortfall by eliminating funding for state hospitals
operated by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and
Mechanical College (LSU); and
WHEREAS, the state has developed public-private partnerships since 2012 for the
delivery of health services at LSU hospital facilities which are now operated by private
health care enterprises, with the terms and conditions for such service delivery set forth in
cooperative endeavor agreements among the state and private providers; and
WHEREAS, the primary purpose of the public-private partnerships is to ensure
multiple points of community access and the delivery of cost-effective medical care for all
Louisiana citizens; and
WHEREAS, private providers that broaden access, choice, and cost-effective care
in a community are the ideal partners for these former charity hospitals in their mission of
serving the health care needs of the people of this state; and
WHEREAS, the availability of multiple health care providers in a community drives
down health care costs, increases choices among patients for care, and improves the quality
of care and health outcomes; and
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WHEREAS, in terms of fiscal and public health policy, it is in the best interest of this
state to continue or initiate public-private hospital partnerships which enhance access to
consumer-centered health care and cost-effective health services delivery.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express support for the public-private partnerships that operate Louisiana's
safety net hospitals and deliver vital health care services throughout the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby declare that the best interests of this state are served through partnerships for
operation of Louisiana's safety net hospitals with partners that increase the number and
availability of health care providers in a given community or market.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans, the
chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and the commissioner of administration.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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