Brand new St. Bernard Parish Hospital expected to open in August 2012
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Community Recovery, St. Bernard Parish Hospital Leave a comment »
Artist rendering of the future St. Bernard Parish Hospital
There’s no prouder Louisiana community than that of St. Bernard Parish– and none that was more impacted by the natural and man-made disasters that have rocked the Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. The storm damaged virtually every building including the parish hospital. This destruction forced the proud residents of St. Bernard to seek healthcare elsewhere.
Photo provided by Jessica Gonzalez, The St Bernard Voice
Expected to open its doors in August 2012, the brand new St. Bernard Parish Hospital will bring healthcare back home to this proud, historically significant community. It promises to serve as an anchoring and stabilizing force in healthcare in St. Bernard Parish and as a major catalyst for economic and community recovery.
The 113,000 square foot state of the art facility will feature 32 general medical/surgical beds and eight intensive care beds, four operating suites, two endoscopy suites, and a 10-bed emergency department. In addition, St. Bernard Parish Hospital will provide complete medical imaging, laboratory and rehabilitation services.
With the patient and their loved ones in mind, considerable attention has been given to the look and feel of the hospital. Floor-to-ceiling windows in waiting areas let in natural light. Wide hallways, large rooms, flat screen TVs and softer light in patient room areas provide a higher level of comfort than what may be expected in a hospital environment.
In addition, all elements of the interior of the hospital have been designed to be as efficient as possible for the medical staff. The design team has focused on providing state-of-the-art medical technology, even taking into account how to reduce the number of steps that it takes for a medical professional to get from point A to point B when taking care of a patient.
A 60,000 square foot medical office building next to the hospital is also under development, thus making the St. Bernard Parish Hospital campus the core provider for the healthcare needs of St. Bernard Parish.
Many former residents have been hesitant to move back into St. Bernard Parish until the flood protection improved, schools were rebuilt and a health care infrastructure was in place. St. Bernard Parish Hospital will play a huge role in the economic and community recovery of the area. The construction of the hospital and the adjoining medical office building has been 100% funded through grants, tax credits and state capital outlay dollars.
For additional information about St. Bernard Parish Hospital visit www.sbph.net.
New “CO-OP” health plan would provide an affordable option for Louisiana individuals and small groups
Posted: March 13, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: ACA, Affordable Care Act, CO-OPs, Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans, Health insurance, Louisiana, Louisiana Health Cooperative 1 Comment »An executive management team, led by former Ochsner Health Plan president and CEO Terry Shilling, is planning to develop a non-profit cooperative focused on providing an affordable, consumer-friendly health plan option for Louisiana individuals and small groups (under 50 employees).
In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law, providing seed money to fund health cooperatives in all 50 states. The ACA requires that a health cooperative, known as a “Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan” (“CO-OP”) is formed as a non-profit, controlled by and operated on behalf of its members. As not-for-profit entitities, CO-OPs are likely to create competition among existing health plans and generate innovative cost control measures to make health insurance more affordable.
The “Louisiana Health Cooperative“ is now in formation and seeking approval from the state insurance department to operate as a health insurance company. If approved, it must follow all the Louisiana insurance laws and regulations. It will be directed by its customers and use profits for customer benefits.
Applications for CO-OP formation have been filed in more than half of the states. So far CO-OP awards have been issued in Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin. If all applicatons for CO-OP formation are approved, 30 million Americans who are currently uninsured will have an opportunity, or option, for insurance. In addition, CO-OPs will provide an additional choice of insurance for more than 12 million workers now employed by small employers with fewer than 50 employees.
Beginning January 1, 2014, CO-OPs will be able to offer health plans through the new, competitive health care marketplaces in each state called the Affordable Insurance Exchanges. If approved, the Louisiana Health Cooperative will provide a high quality, affordable option for individuals and small groups.
Ochsner Health System is a sponsor of the Louisiana Health Cooperative. On April 2, 2012, Louisiana Health Cooperative will be filing an application with CMS/HHS and would appreciate letters of support from Louisiana individuals and small groups that would benefit from the development of this CO-OP.
For additional information about the Louisiana Health Cooperative, visit http://mylahc.org.
FREE Health Screening for cultural workers
Posted: March 12, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »In partnership with the Gulf Coast Marketplace Festival, Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation will sponsor a free health screening for cultural workers on Sunday, June 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Houma Civic Center. Testing for blood sugar (glucose), blood pressure and cholesterol, in addition to a healthy breakfast, will be provided by LCEF at the artists hospitality area. ”LCEF is excited to reach out to this part of our state with preventative testing, healthcare information and resource assistance. Houma is rich in culture. LCEF is pleased to assist with the health and well-being of its cultural community,” said Kathy Richard, LCEF Healthcare Initiative Director. For more information about LCEF healthcare services and other programs, please call 337-366-8970, email kathy@culturaleconomy.org, or go to www.culturaleconomy.org .
