Health & Fitness
An Argument For Voting 'Yes' To East Jefferson General Hospital Sale
Advocate Editorial says the economics of health care have changed.
July 20, 2020
From The Advocate:
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Why you should vote yes on East Jefferson General Hospital sale
In the nearly 50 years since it opened its doors, East Jefferson General Hospital has been a treasured community institution. It was envisioned that way by the people who flocked to the growing suburb in the 1960s and voted to build the public hospital, and who would for decades vigilantly defend its independence against those seeking to merge it into a larger system.
But times change, as do the economics of providing health care. These days, community hospitals are struggling to compete against regional networks better able to offer up-to-date technology, economies of scale in operations and purchasing, leverage in negotiating with insurance companies, and an array of facilities that cross parish lines. As a standalone, East Jeff has struggled in recent years and is now in deep financial trouble, $135 million in debt and facing possible foreclosure.