Reports: Ochsner Has Deal With Louisiana To Take Over University Health

The USA Today Network is reporting that Ochsner Health System has a deal in place with the State of Louisiana to take over the state hospitals in Monroe and Shreveport.

Here's a quote from the USA Today Network's report:

"Gov. John Bel Edwards will announce Ochsner's partnerships with the state, LSU and current hospital operator BRF Tuesday in Shreveport.

All will agree in non-binding letters of intent to pursue permanent contract terms. The letters are set to be signed tomorrow.

LSU Health Sciences Center operates in conjunction with the University Health hospitals in Monroe and Shreveport. The medical school's campus is at University Health Shreveport."

Last week, Louisiana's Commissioner of the Administration Jay Dardenne told KEEL News that negotiations have been ongoing towards a non-binding agreement that, hopefully, can be signed by the end of December. Dardenne also says that the future role of Biomedical Research Foundation is part of the current talks and is not finalized. But he adds that BRF "initiated the interest in Ochsner coming in."