Jefferson Parish Council Vote on Leasing Hospitals Canceled

The Jefferson Parish Council has canceled a vote scheduled for Thursday to select a lessee for East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie, La., and West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La., according to a report from The Times-Picayune.

The vote was called off in light of Jefferson Parish Inspector General David McClintock's plan to issue a report on leasing the hospitals tomorrow, leaving council members with little time to absorb the information before voting, Chris Roberts, the council chairman, told The Times-Picayune in a text message. It isn't yet clear whether or not the council has rescheduled its vote.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corp. of America, New Orleans-based Louisiana Children's Medical Center and Ochsner Health System in New Orleans are in the running to take over the two hospitals. As of last month, HCA had offered $575 million in lease payments over 30 years, Children's had bid $410 million and Ochsner had offered $374 million for the hospitals. Council members have said the lease payment amounts won't necessarily be the main motivating factor behind their decision among the three proposals, which have only been discussed behind closed doors.

Additionally, last month, the boards overseeing East Jefferson and West Jefferson failed to reach a consensus on which bidder to recommend during a daylong, closed-door meeting. The West Jefferson board unanimously voted for Children's, and all but one member of the East Jefferson board favored HCA. The hospital boards requested additional guidance from the parish council.

Mr. Roberts and council member Elton Lagasse have publicly endorsed Children's, according to The Times-Picayune. Other council members have asked for more time to ensure they have enough information to make a decision, according to the report.

More Articles on Hospital Acquisitions:
HCA Outbidding Competitors for Jefferson Parish Hospitals
Louisiana Medical Center, HCA Final Options for Jefferson Merger
2 Jefferson Parish Hospitals in Louisiana Set for Privatization