FAQ
What is St. Charles Parish Hospital?
A community hospital providing comprehensive healthcare to the citizens of St. Charles Parish. It is also a Service District Hospital which means that the citizens of St. Charles Parish own the hospital and are represented by their Board of Commissioners.
What is the arrangement between St. Charles Parish Hospital District and Ochsner Health?
In 2014 St. Charles Parish Hospital District contracted with Ochsner Health to manage the hospital.
Ochsner is responsible for the operations and the operational expenses. This contract was scrutinized and approved by the Board of Commissioners who represent the citizens of St. Charles Parish. The agreement has benefitted the residents by bringing more services, physicians and specialists to the hospital. The Board of Commissioners meets monthly and oversees the policies of the hospital. These are open meetings which the public can attend and ask questions. They are held in a public forum at the Hahnville Courthouse.
Under the St. Charles Parish Hospital and Ochsner Health agreement who is responsible for major (capital) Improvements?
The St. Charles Parish Hospital District is responsible for major improvements and these improvements have generally been paid with bond issuances supported by millages.
What are some of the improvements paid for by millages?
Plantation View East Bank Medical Office Building with imaging and lab services, pediatrics and pediatric therapy, and multiple specialists and primary care provider practices
New Laboratory Space and Equipment
Expanded Emergency Department
Cardiology Center with Diagnostics and Treatment
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services
New Ambulances and Equipment (Ambulances which are owned by the Hospital and must be replaced periodically.)
How has Ochsner Health improved the hospital?
More citizens are using the services of the hospital. In a recent poll, 65% of citizens said that they or their family members use the hospital, a 28% increase in use of services in 8 years.
5 Year Increase in Hospital Services:
| Patients Served | 166% | Providers | 70% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehab Procedures | 140% | Outpatient Visits | 66% |
| Specialists Available |
100% | Radiology Scans | 20% |
| Outpatient Surgeries | 79% | Employee FTES | 14% |
Has Ochsner Health invested operational capital generated by the hospital into healthcare service improvements?
Yes they have. Ochsner Health as a system that has produced more operational efficiencies than a smaller community hospital can achieve on their own. They have with the Board of Commissioner’s oversight used those funds to improve the hospital services:
Established the only Inpatient Med Psych Unit in the State of Louisiana
Built an Endoscopy Suite and staffed it with a Gastroenterologist.
Hired ER Physicians who are certified in Emergency Medicine
Brought “Intensivist Physicians” to cover the ICU with Telemedicine
Expanded Physical Therapy to 3 locations with 2 on the East Bank
Doubled the number of physician specialists serving the hospital
How can the hospital reduce the millage and expand services at the same time?
The reduction in millage only reflects the affordability of the debt and does not deprive the Hospital of any operational capital. In fact, the improvements to be constructed with the proposed bonds, if approved, will expand the range of services currently provided at the Hospital without negatively impacting the Hospital’s viability. This should benefit the citizens of St. Charles Parish and maintain the Hospital’s path of financial stability.
How does the proposed bond issuance affect the hospital’s debt and credit rating?
It is impossible to predict how a rating agency that is not affiliated with the Hospital will integrate the bond issue into the Hospital’s existing rating; however, the proposed bonds remain affordable based on the Hospital’s existing revenue streams and should not materially affect the Hospital’s financial metrics.
What is the hospital’s role in COVID-19 healthcare?
Over 7,500 citizens have been vaccinated and 6,500 tested at the hospital
365 people with COVID-19 have been treated in the hospital’s ER as of 3/1/21
The hospital is a “safety net” for infectious disease care and general emergency care
What plans does the Hospital have for the Future?
Hospital leaders are responding to patient demand and listening to what citizens want in their hospital. The proposition on the April 24 ballot will provide funding for these improvements:
NEW CHEMOTHERAPY CENTER - Expanding capacity and convenience
LATEST MRI TECHNOLOGY - More comfort and higher resolution scans
FACILITY UPGRADES - Improved heating, AC and generators
NEW MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM - New intensive outpatient program and clinics
NEW AMBULANCES (4) - EMS units needing to be replaced
REDESIGNED SURGERY SUITES - Better access and comfort
REDESIGNED PHYSICIAN CLINICS - Expanding access and improving patient experience
NEW SPORTS CENTER (EAST BANK) - Facility for performance training, injury prevention
PHARMACY UPGRADE - Improvements to meet USP 800 Standard
Why are citizens asked to pay for these improvements?
Because the citizens of St. Charles Parish own the hospital. Ochsner Health is managing the hospital and they report to the Board of Commissioners who represent the citizens. In this arrangement, the citizens can decide what services they want to offer in their hospital to meet the needs of their community.
How do citizens know that these funds will be used for their intended purpose?
Hospitals are required by law to use bond funds for their stated purpose. St. Charles Parish Hospital has kept its promises to citizens in the past in its use of tax dollars. The following investments were made with the current millage:
New Ambulances
Cardiology Diagnostics and Treatments
New Hospital Lab
Expanded ER
New East Bank Facility with Urgent Care and Clinics
Expanded Rehab Services
What will the proposed improvements and upgrades cost?
| Service Expansions (Chemotherapy Center, Sports Center, Surgery Center, Pharmacy Upgrades) |
$9,838,896 |
|---|---|
| New Equipment & Technology (EMS Units, MRI) |
$3,346,000 |
| Facility Infrastructure Upgrades (Heating and Air Systems, Life Saving Generators) |
$3,077,951 |
| Future Capital Needs | $737,153 |
| TOTAL | $17,000,000 |
What will be the annual cost to residential property owners?
The millage being levied will be reduced from 3.16 mills to 3.06 mills, resulting in lower payments.
| Property Value | Current Millage: 3.16 | Proposed Millage: 3.06 |
|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $100,000 | $7.90 | $7.65 |
| $150,000 | $23.70 | $22.95 |
| $200,000 | $39.50 | $38.25 |
| $250,000 | $55.30 | $53.55 |
| $300,000 | $71.10 | $68.85 |
| $350,000 | $86.90 | $84.15 |
Is this a new tax?
No. It is an extension of an existing millage at a lower rate.
When is voting?
Saturday, April 24, Regular Polling Places between 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Early Voting, April 10-17 (Except Sunday, April 11) between 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Early Voting Locations
East Bank - Arterbury Building, 14564 River Road
West Bank - Hahnville Courthouse, 15045 River Road
* Mail Ballot Must Be Received on April 23 by 4:30 pm
How will the proposition appear on the ballot?
Shall Hospital Service District No. 1 of the Parish of St. Charles, State of Louisiana (the “District”), incur debt and issue bonds to an amount not to exceed Seventeen Million Dollars ($17,000,000), in one or more series, to run not exceeding fifteen (15) years from the date thereof, to bear interest at a rate not exceeding seven per centum (7%) per annum, for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring and constructing lands, buildings, machinery, equipment and furnishings, including both real and personal property, to be used in providing hospital facilities and healthcare services to the District, title to which shall be in the public, which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, an estimated 3.06 mills to be levied in the first year of issue to pay said Bonds, which amount is a decrease of 0.10 mills over the amount currently being levied to pay General Obligation Bonds of the District?