Jefferson Parish, LA, hospitals try to cut costs

Seeking to help two publicly owned hospitals reduce millions of dollars in annual operating losses, the Jefferson Parish (LA) Council formed a committee to study ways the hospitals can work together to cut costs. The committee will issue a recommendation by May 20 on the feasibility of forming a parishwide hospital service district to oversee cost-saving agreements between East Jefferson General Hospital and West Jefferson Medical Center. The two hospitals would remain independent and retain their existing hospital service district boards, Council Chairman Tom Capella said.