Official: Savings won't be realized with new hospital in New Orleans

Building a new state hospital alongside a planned U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in New Orleans won't produce the initial level of savings once touted by the Louisiana State University System, according to the school's top health officer. Fred Cerise, MD, said the primary reason is that a lack of clear financing has put LSU behind its original schedule, while federal money is lined up for the Veterans Affairs hospital slated to open in 2012, negating plans for sharing some equipment and facilities.