Gov. John Bel Edwards and LSU have officially moved to terminate the state hospital contract for the operator of north Louisiana safety net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe.
Edwards and LSU issued separate breach of contract notices to Shreveport-based BRF late Monday, The USA Today Network of Louisiana reports. The issuance of the notice is the first step to remove BRF as operator of the hospitals.
Edwards is accusing the foundation of failing “to achieve a public purpose as required by state law.” The termination notice comes only days after the governor said he was hopeful BRF could partner with Ochsner Health System to stabilize the relationship among the foundation, the state and LSU, which operates its med school within University Health hospitals.
“This notice to BRF does not change the state’s commitment to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” Edwards’ spokesman Richard Carbo says. “This notice requires that the problems outlined be addressed in the next 45 days, and we will continue those discussions.”
BRF, through a spokesman, declined to comment.
