Dive Brief:
- Louisiana State University (LSU) has asked Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) to step aside as operator of University Health hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe.
- BRF Chairman, Steve Skirvanos, says the foundation has no intention of stepping down.
- LSU will likely take legal action in an attempt to force BRF into relinquishing control.
Dive Insight:
BRF has been under contract to run the Louisiana hospitals since 2013. Although LSU is planning to file an official breach of contract notice, the two sides will likely be battling for control for years. "We believe we have honored every part of the (cooperative endeavor agreement) and plan to continue to do what I believe has been an outstanding job in serving the northern Louisiana community and its most vulnerable residents," Skrivanos told The News Star.
One of the major sticking points is that LSU's medical school operates out of University Health in Shreveport. State Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi, said he is "deeply disappointed" in LSU's decision to attempt to remove BRF as operator of the hospitals. "I think it's uncalled for," Thompson said. "I'm concerned that it might have a dire impact on health care in northern Louisiana, especially if the hospitals are divided and the medical education system is disrupted."