St Mary Parish Hospital Service District No 2 calls Property Tax Election for Oct 14, 2023

Morgan City - Voters from Ricohoc to Amelia could face two propositions on the Oct 14 ballot, both to generate funds for the Hospital Service District No2 board,  to improve operations and services at Ochsner St Mary Hospital. 

That includes restoring labor and delivery services and adding pediatric services. 

Commissioners approved both propositions during their meeting Wednesday. 

Now, the St. Mary Parish Council must give their blessing before the propositions are officially added to the fall ballot, which will also include candidates for State Senator and House Members, St Mary Parish Sheriff and Parish President, Parish Coroner, and the St. Mary Parish Council. 

 The first proposition is a millage proposition which calls for a levy of 5.5 mills of property tax for a period of 10 years, beginning this year and ending in 2032. It is expected to generate an annual $2 million for the hospital board to use to improve, maintain and operate the hospital and other health care facilities in the district, in addition to providing and supporting labor and delivery and pediatric services, physician recruitment and community outreach. 

 If voters approve the measure, homeowners will pay more property tax, beginning with an extra $13 a year for those whose homes are assessed at $100,000. 

 The second proposition will ask voters to allow the hospital board to rededicate revenues previously restricted for improving and maintaining hospital facilities and equipment to allow additional purposes of providing and supporting labor and delivery and pediatric services, physician recruitment and community outreach. 

 The St. Mary Hospital Service District No 2 Board owns the Morgan City hospital. Roughly four years ago the board entered into a contract with the Ochsner Health Network to manage the facility, replacing outgoing the Lifepoint Health System.

 

 In March 2023, Ochsner St Mary announced they were closing the hospital's labor and delivery department due to insufficient use by the community, among other reasons. 

 Bill Bourgeois, the hospital board's attorney, said the district has a verbal commitment from Ochsner to work toward restoring labor and delivery services to Ochsner St. Mary, but there is nothing in writing.

To view the entire May 3rd meeting of the St Mary Hospital Service District No 2, please press the arrow located in the video below.