Rep. Jared Brossett questions plan to privatize LSU-run hospitals
A New Orleans lawmaker is asking for an attorney general's opinion on whether Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration can move ahead with privatizing most of the LSU-run hospitals without legislative approval.
Rep. Jared Brossett has requested legal guidance from Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.
Brossett, a Democrat, says he believes that because the hospitals are public assets, turning them over to private managers should require legislative backing.
Jindal's health secretary, Bruce Greenstein, says the law doesn't require legislative approval of the privatization agreements and the administration doesn't intend to seek a vote.
Agreements have been announced for private hospital operators to manage LSU hospitals in New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma and Lake Charles. Officials say similar deals are in the works for university hospitals in Monroe, Pineville and Bogalusa.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
