Michelle Edelman
Owner, CEO and Chief Strategist
PETERMAYER
LCMC and Ochsner are both outstanding networks that will no doubt improve the hospital facilities and services of their acquisition targets. If anti-trust examination assures that competition and costs will be kept reasonable, these two entities can serve as anchors to the care here. As small-box care solutions advance — from digital health products accessible from home to everyday care available at pharmacy and small office locations — the practical needs of the everyday can fill the gaps that the bigger providers can’t afford to service. As consumers, we can adapt to a multiuse medical care environment.
Melissa Hodgson
Vice President
Gambel PR
Before Gambel, I led communication strategy for St. Tammany Health System for 17 years…I feel there is value in both consolidation and independence. Large systems have clear advantages in providing subspecialty care, convenient locations, flexible hours and technology that reduces errors, increases compliance and empowers patients to manage their record, appointments and prescriptions. Conversely, independent providers and hospitals may be more nimble without the overarching structure of a large system.
MarkAlain Dery, DO, MPH, FACOI
Infectious Disease Physician
Public Health Leader and Advocate
Healthcare consolidation and ultimately loss of physician autonomy was inevitable when the physicians of the 1970s refused to unionize — a regretful decision. The advantage of consolidation is the ubiquity of healthcare services under one roof, making it easier for patient services and decreasing duplicative diagnostic tests. A major setback given our hyper capitalistic society is the ability to create economic incentives that continue to put profits before people – we need healthcare for all NOW.
Charlie Davis
CEO
Moxey
I hope the consolidation helps. Healthcare is broken everywhere, not just here. Until we empower people to make better decisions by providing transparent pricing before visits or procedures, it won’t be possible to have the fundamental reform that we so desperately need.
Heidi Raines
CEO
Performance Health Partners
Consolidation and streamlined efficiencies will be an improvement for both medical workers and patients. Having a local operator with experience running academic medical centers that train future doctors will improve safety and increase medical worker retention. The result will be a high quality of care for everyone.
Rebecca Conwell
President and CEO
The UNO Research and Technology Foundation and The Beach at UNO
I believe New Orleanians will benefit from the recent partnerships in the healthcare market. We can expect increased investment in our region, providing an even stronger healthcare landscape and benefits for patients.