Jeudi

For the last few months, U.S. Senator David Vitter wrote letters to the feds in opposition and watched some people he might know make legislative moves against the state's planned replacement in Lower Mid-City. The awkward reality always existed in the background that he was going head-to-head with his fellow Republican, Gov. Bobby Jindal. Today, Vitter indicated he might have the heart for a Republican rumble when he pitched an alternative to the state's current plan. NoDef obtained a copy of the letter, which can be read here. Summary after the jump.

The letter is signed by Vitter, state House Speaker Jim Tucker, and state Treasurer John Kennedy, all of whom are Republicans. The trio proposed acquiring portions of Tulane Medical Center (235 beds in Tulane's existing downtown hospital, and about 120 in Jefferson Parish) and building either in a portion of the existing Charity Hospital, or, if that isn't doable, at the site in Lower Mid-City. The proposed new hospital would have about 175 less beds than the state's, and cost about $400 million less. The alternative calls for a total of 600 beds spread across the three sites. The state is still short that amount of money. Vitter and co. argue that the state would be able to finance their plan as is, and manage it better than the current project overlords.

It helps ensure that the new hospital is managed efficiently versus continuing the state and LSU's very inefficient management," the letter states.

Today's proposal does not address one reality of the situation as it stands: An entire neighborhood is being demolished to make way for the hospital. Oops! It also does not address the half of the Lower Mid-City mega-plex that is scheduled to go to the VA.