Crime Blotter: Reported Offenses in the Tri-parishes
February 28, 2012
Houma La., to Weihai, China: TEDA studies Far East relationships
February 28, 2012Concerns over possible state cuts to health care for the poor and senior citizens prompted the St. Mary Parish Council to author two resolutions last week voicing their opposition.
The first is in opposition to a $29 million proposed cut to the Louisiana State University Health System, which would impact services at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma. The second resolution opposes the consolidation of the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs within the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals.
Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing the cuts to help balance an $895 million shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year budget. The Legislature convenes March 10, and will face a number of budget cutting initiatives.
Parish Councilman Albert Foulcard authored the two resolutions, saying Jindal’s administration is “dealing with cuts that affect the health of our lives.
“It looks like anytime they cut something, they cut old people and children,” he said. “It’s putting the rich against the poor.”
“After they make their cuts,” councilman Steve Bierhorst chimed, “they don’t forget how to tax the middle guy.”
Foulcard said cuts to Chabert and Lafayette’s University Medical Center would be “upsetting for a number of reasons,” among them the teaching opportunities both facilities provide to future physicians and nurses.
“We have such a hard time getting good doctors in our small towns,” Foulcard said. “What are we going to do? If we don’t watch it, we’re going to be in trouble finding good medical care.”
The resolution reads, “The St. Mary Parish Council does hereby express opposition to the proposed state mandated cuts … and this resolution shall be forwarded to the LSU Health System and to the St. Mary Parish Legislative Delegation requesting their support of this resolution.”
With the second resolution, the parish council goes on record in opposition to a move to consolidate the Council on Aging within the Department of Health and Hospitals, saying such a move “would result in the dismantling of a 40-year system that has successfully delivered services to the Senior Citizens of St. Mary Parish.”
The resolution comes on the heels of a plea earlier this month by Beverly Domengeaux, director of the St. Mary COA, who fears her organization will be adversely affected despite assurances from DHH that the Office of Elderly Affairs will not be impacted.
In fiscal business at last Wednesday’s meeting, the parish council awarded an $83,800 contract to Acadiane Renovations of Franklin to re-roof the Morgan City Senior Center at 4014 Chennault St.
