Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2012-11-16

Duration: 00:08:12

Subjects: Cerise, Frederick P. | Health Care | Health care reform | Louisiana State University System | Hospitals | Public-private partnerships | Opelka, Frank | Greenstein, Bruce

Contributors:

• Sanford, Shauna Host
• Whinham, Charlie Host
• Sanford, Shauna Producer
• Allen, Gary Photographer
• Cerise, Fred Interviewee
• Greenstein, Bruce Interviewee
• Opelka, Frank Interviewee

This segment from the November 16, 2012, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Shauna Sanford’s interview with Dr. Fred Cerise, the former head of the LSU Health System, on the reorganization of the state’s health care system. Sanford reports that the federal government cut $859 million from the state’s Medicaid budget and that the Louisiana State University (LSU) System has announced a reduction of beds at seven LSU hospitals in south Louisiana. Dr. Cerise discusses: his disagreement with the Jindal Administration’s plan; his response to claims that the system is unsustainable; his belief that the changes will limit access to health care; and his view of the state’s new public-private partnerships. This report also includes interviews with Secretary Bruce Greenstein of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and Dr. Frank Opelka, Cerise’s replacement as the head of the LSU Health System. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford