Expanding and Improving Health Care

Statement

Yesterday, we announced an historic and transformative agreement on a public private partnership between Louisiana State University and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center to expand access to health care services and enhance the graduate medical education for Louisiana's doctors, nurses and health care professionals. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that this deal "would give the capital city its first Level 1 trauma center" and doctor-training programs would expand to "at least 110 residency slots." This joint partnership between the state, LSU, and Our Lady of the Lake will improve and expand services to the poor while making LSU's medical training program more competitive and further expand economic growth in Baton Rouge.

How about those Saints! It was a magical moment for the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and Saints fans all across the country on Sunday night! While the team will focus their next two weeks on bringing home the world championship, Sunday's victory marks the final home game for our Saints. In honor of the most loyal, dedicated and passionate fanbase in the league, I issued a proclamation to commemorate this week as "Who Dat Nation Week" in Louisiana.

Supriya and the kids and I all went down on the field to celebrate the win after the game Sunday.

We were also excited to announce another economic win for Northeast Louisiana last week. Sonoco's Southern Plug and Manufacturing is expanding their operations in Bastrop. According to the Monroe News-Star, the plant's $2 million expansion will create 15 new jobs, effectively doubling their current production capabilities. The news comes after many months of work between Louisiana Economic Development, the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, and local officials; and proves once again that together we are creating more jobs and opportunity for our people so they can pursue their dreams right here at home in Louisiana.

Last week, I also awarded 221 veterans from East Feliciana Parish with the Louisiana Veterans' Honor Medal at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson. As I told the Baton Rouge Advocate, "it's never too late for us to honor the service, to honor the courage and to honor the sacrifice of the men and women who have served our nation."

Sincerely,

Governor Bobby Jindal

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