After nearly a year of negotiations, it sounds like a deal between Ochsner Health and the State could be nearing completion. According to reports, Ochsner has verbally agreed to take over the safety net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe.

While it was made clear by LSU that nothing has been finalized as of yet, it is being reported that a deal could be completed in the next 24 hours. Ochsner would reportedly get paid $294 million to run University Health and the Monroe hospital. It is also being reported that if the deal is completed in a timely fashion, Ochsner could take control of the hospitals as soon as October 1st.

Even if a deal is signed in principal, however, there are still several steps that need to be taken before it can be finalized and executed. It must be approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. The next meeting of the LSU Board is September 7th.

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