by Malcolm Butler
One of the agenda items on tonight’s City Council meeting agenda is to vote on a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) where the City of Ruston team up with the Lincoln Health Foundation and the Lincoln Parish Police Jury to pay for a health study for the parish.
According to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, the cost of the health study would be $500,000 and would be split amongst the three entities with the city and the LPPJ each paying $50,000 and the Lincoln Health Foundation paying $400,000.
“This is to look at the healthcare needs in our parish,” said Walker. “This will help us as we continue to grow this parish and the city to formulate a plan for what we need from a healthcare standpoint.”
Back in early September an announcement was made that Allegiance Health Management and Northern Louisiana Medical Center would acquire Green Clinic, which ended months of speculation and rumors about the future of the medical mainstay of the Lincoln Parish community.
Although the deal was originally supposed to be completed in early October, it still has not been finalized yet although it is still expected to be in the coming months.
However, Walker said the feeling is that the study is needed regardless of the merger.
Walker said that a decision on which third-party consulting group would manage the study has not yet been determined.
“The committee is currently meeting to determine what consultant will manage this study,” said Walker. “It’s a really good committee. They are meeting with a consultant now to determine the third party.”
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury has already voted in favor of the health study, leaving the Ruston City Council with the remaining vote on this. Walker believes it will be approved tonight.
The Lincoln Health Foundation utilizes revenue set aside for health services within the parish after the sale of the hospital years ago when it was Lincoln General Hospital.
The alignment of The Green Clinic with Northern Louisiana Medical Center is expected to streamline healthcare services, provide more robust support for patients, and further advance the quality of medical care in the region. This strategic move aligns with Allegiance Health Management’s mission to foster collaborative healthcare environments that prioritize patient well-being and community health.
“Ten years ago, when I became mayor, I realized if we were going to grow and active and progressive and vibrant city, we needed to have good healthcare,” Walker told the LPJ back in September at the time of the announcement of the acquisition. “That’s always been a focus and concern of mine. I know health care the last few years has been very difficult for all communities.”
Lincoln Parish Police Jury President Glenn Scriber echoed Walker’s sentiments at that time.
“Quality healthcare is paramount for any community,” said Scriber. “With the growth of Lincoln Parish, it is crucial that we are open minded of the healthcare needs in our community and that we take the necessary steps to make sure our residents are provided for in the future.”
Northern Louisiana Medical Center CEO Kathy Hall said that when Green Clinic went on the market in the summer of 2023, there was immediate interest by Allegiance Health Management of acquiring it.
“The best thing that can happen for our community is for our healthcare to come together,” said Hall back in September. “We have recruited a lot of doctors into (our system recently). The state of reality of when Allegiance came to Ruston, the goal has always been to have a great relationship with Green Clinic. We have been working with Green Clinic since 2019 to help with the recruiting process and things of that nature.”
Northern Louisiana Medical Center’s current structure was built in 1962. And although the facility has had renovations over the decades, there is no doubt that a new facility is needed in Ruston.
Allegiance Health Management purchased a 35.5-acre tract of land in 2022 from James Davison at the corner of East Commerce and Celebrity Drive with plans of building a new full-service hospital.
Hall said in September that although the plans were put on hold, now that the acquisition of Green Clinic is almost complete, they will return their focus to building a new hospital that includes larger rooms for patients and ICU units as well as state-of-the-art operating and treatment rooms.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
