Ask legislators to protect community hospitals posted Thursday, May 24th, 2012 @ 12:00 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Editor: As the CEO of St. Francis Medical Center, I am writing on behalf of the Louisiana Hospital Association and the community hospitals in my area to share how concerned we are with the proposed state budget cuts to community hospitals. St. Francis Medical Center has been serving this area since 1913 by providing emergency services, intensive care, general medical and surgical services, as well as many outpatient services. Our hospital and others in Northeast Louisiana are also a vital part of the economy, employing over 4,600. Over 53.7 percent of our patients are covered by either Medicare or Medicaid, and 2.1 percent are uninsured. When decision makers face a budget crisis, Medicare and Medicaid funding for community hospitals is often the first to be cut, which can have serious, long term effects on healthcare and communities. Over the past few years, community hospitals in our areas have been cut over $13 million, and we have all strategically dealt with these cuts so that we can continue to provide quality care. At some point, severe cuts will mean critical changes in services and jobs in our area and throughout the state. It is important for all residents to contact their legislators, and ask them to protect your community hospitals and the critical, life-saving services that we provide. Louis H. Bremer, Jr., FACHE President & CEO St. Francis Medical Center For the full story, subscribe to the The Ouachita Citizen's NEW E-Edition!