Hospital officials cautious about Gov.'s moves on healthcare (LA)

Louisiana hospital officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward Gov. Bobby Jindal's refusal to expand Medicaid eligibility as called for in President Barack Obama's health insurance overhaul. In contrast to other states, where hospital officials are lobbying their governors and legislatures to move forward with the Medicaid expansion, Louisiana hospital administrators and representatives are being cautious. Still, hospitals are worried the expanded Medicaid participation authorized under the health overhaul law would lead the federal government to significantly reduce compensation to hospitals for providing care to the uninsured.