Letter: Special section is our only hope

I am writing to protest the closure of Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville and the devastating budget cuts at Lallie Kemp Hospital in Independence. Closing hospitals without legislative approval is unacceptable. The only option to stop these closures and budget cuts is for our legislators to convene a special session.

Gov. Bobby Jindal is not likely to call a special session to address this health-care and education crisis. However, a special session can be convened if two thirds of the legislators call themselves into session. We are asking the legislators of our state to do just this.

I am asking the citizens of our state to call their senators and representatives to request that they call for a special legislative session to fix this crisis. The legislative process has been subverted and the only way this can be stopped is with a special session and public hearings on this matter.

Brian J. Ladner

physician

Mandeville

Comments

1) Comment by JBradleyM.D. - 26/08/2012

Please consider signing this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/louisiana-legislators-convene-a- special-legislative-session-to-address-the-healthcare-crisis

2) Comment by egmason3 - 25/08/2012

Well DMJ, this isn't about party affiliation nor is it about race or any other topic title you wish to put on this. It's about a man that WE elected and has found a loop-hole in the process that gives him power that he should not be using!!! Disabling the safety net in this state is not smart! Revising it maybe. I can tell you from working in healthcare for the last 30+ years for the State of Louisiana, that we have learned to do so much more with a hell of a lot less money than the private (for profit) hospitals have!! Take a comparable sized hospital to say Earl K Long or University in Lafayette, one from the private sector, and look at their budget and how they treat patients. Their visits are low and their patients all have pay sources. Who will take care of those, maybe even someone in your family, that has no insurance? Will the people of Louisiana let their own die? Get a grip!

3) Comment by DMJ - 23/08/2012

This is what happens when you give the governor's mansion and the legislature to a Republican. Louisiana Democrats may have been corrupt and/or incompetent, but at least they cared about people. Jindal only cares about Jindal.

4) Comment by gary - 23/08/2012

Dr. Ladner, I share your views - but it ain't gonna happen. Now, if Mr. Romney or Gene Millis request a special session, our governor would be calling for one tomorrow at 7am - that is if he is even in the state of Louisiana.