Louisiana residents open to reforming or eliminating charity hospital system

Seventy-two percent of Louisiana residents believe the state's health care system needs to be changed or completely rebuilt in order to provide better care to the uninsured, according to a poll released Monday by the non-partisan Council for a Better Louisiana, the AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The poll, which includes responses from 630 residents between Sept. 11 and Sept. 21, found that 81% of residents said they would consider a proposal that would dismantle the state's system of charity hospitals operated by Louisiana State University and include other hospital options if it did not cost the state more money. The survey also found that less than half of uninsured residents in the state have a regular physician who knows their medical history; nearly one-third said they receive medical care in emergency departments rather than in physician offices; and uninsured residents were more likely to have to wait for necessary care. The Louisiana Health Care Design Collaborative on Friday is expected to offer a redesign plan to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt (Deslatte, AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune, 10/16). The collaborative, which was formed by Leavitt and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D), is expected to propose reforms for Medicare and Medicaid rules for beneficiaries in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Leavitt has said that HHS will not increase the amount of funding that it provides Louisiana (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 10/10).

In related news, Leavitt on Monday met with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Fred Cerise and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D) to discuss the collaborative's progress. Leavitt in a statement said, "Based on advice I'm getting from experts who deal with Medicare and Medicaid systems all over America, I believe the combination of the current dollars already being spent in the Louisiana health care system and savings that come as costs grow more slowly can provide access to affordable health insurance for those who are now uninsured and need help." Leavitt supports a system that would provide more funding for private and community health providers and phase out the charity hospital model. Meanwhile, Blanco has pledged to rebuild the charity hospital system, much of which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, and many Democratic state lawmakers "have staunchly refused to back a plan that would do away with the charity hospitals," according to the AP/Times-Picayune (AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune, 10/16).