Changes at LSU hospitals worry private providers

As Louisiana State University prepares to severely cut back-health care services, the state reduces health-care payments and the federal government slices money flowing into the state, private hospitals are weighing the pros and cons of partnering with public hospitals to provide care. Physicians in private practice and those associated with clinics and hospitals also are concerned about their practices and the future of medical education in the state. "LSU and DHH [the state Department of Health and Hospitals] are certainly having conversations with a lot of hospitals in the affected areas," said John Matessino, president and CEO of the Louisiana Hospital Association. Those conversations involve the hospitals taking over care no longer being provided by LSU.