The GAO released a report that finds the storm-related damage to Charity and University hospitals in New Orleans is so serious that the buildings need to be rebuilt. As we noted earlier in the week, Louisiana State University wants to rebuild Charity in a joint project with the Veteran's Administration that would create a shared facility. The VA has already won funding to cover its side of the deal.
LSU, on the other hand, is caught up in a bitter fight with FEMA over federal funding for the hospital's reconstruction. FEMA hired a private engineering firm that specializes in medical facilities to assess the state of damage to the hospital. The consultant estimated that the damage to the basement and first floor of the facility will cost about $25 million to repair, while LSU says the project will cost $257.7 million. Expect the haggling to drag on for a lot longer than is appropriate under the circumstances. Meanwhile, many residents of New Orleans remain without access to basic healthcare services.
- take a look at this article from the Times-Picayune