Vitter, Tucker, Kennedy Meet with Gov. Jindal and UMC Board Members to Discuss Their Proposal

Jindal and members of the board agree to review the Vitter, Tucker, Kennedy proposal and all alternatives to "Mega-Charity"

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, House Speaker Jim Tucker and Treasurer John Kennedy today met with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal about a plan they proposed for the University Medical Center. University Medical Center Board Chairman Bobby Yarborough, three other board members -- Boysie Bollinger, David Voelker and Darryl Berger -- Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu and Secretary of Health and Hospitals Bruce Greenstein also took part in the meeting at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

Vitter, Tucker and Kennedy made the following joint statement after the meeting:

"The discussion today in the governor's office and the concrete outcome it led to were extremely productive. The governor is writing the full University Medical Center board and asking them to look at all options and possibilities -- including other existing assets, partners and potential partners, ways to independently and efficiently manage the new facility, etc. -- with the help of appropriate experts like Kaufman Hall. This is meant to empower the board to do its job independently and not rubber-stamp any LSU plan."

In a letter sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal last week, Vitter, Tucker, and Kennedy highlighted the Kaufman Hall study showing the state's current plan was unsustainable and offered their own fiscally responsible proposal. They also requested a meeting with the governor.

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