A new bill pending in the Louisiana legislature would require the state to pay the legal bills incurred by Dr. Anna Pou, a physician accused of illegally euthanizing patients at New Orleans-based Memorial hospital, in the days after Hurricane Katrina.
Pou had been accused by now-former Attorney General Charles Foti. She fought the allegations, which were highly controversial, and never ended up being indicted.
Now, a bill filed by Rep. Patrick Connick would pay almost $145,000 to Pou's legal defense fund, a number recommended by the state's Attorney Fee Review Board. The state could act anytime after the legislative session begins on April 27.
To learn more about the bill:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece [1] (reg. req.)
Related Articles:
LA bill offers legal protections for MD care during emergencies [2]
Jury refuses to indict New Orleans physician [3]
Louisiana doctor targeted by state files lawsuit against AG [4]
Tenet cleared of wrongdoing during Katrina [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090417/REG/304179983/-1
[2] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/la-bill-offers-legal-protections-for-md-care-during-emergencies/2008-05-20
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/jury-refuses-indict-new-orleans-physician/2007-07-25
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/louisiana-doctor-targeted-state-files-lawsuit-against-ag/2007-07-17
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/tenet-cleared-of-wrongdoing-during-katrina/2006-03-16