State backing for new Baton Rouge Children’s Hospital sought in Legislature

The Jindal administration last week backed a $20 million commitment toward construction of a new children’s hospital in south Baton Rouge.

If approved, the money would be the state’s contribution toward a $200 million facility dedicated to the medical needs of youth, which is on the drawing boards at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. The 130-bed OLOL Children’s Hospital would stand alone off Interstate 10 between Essen Lane and Bluebonnet Boulevard near the Lake’s facilities.

At the request of the Capitol Area Legislative Delegation, the project was added to the administration’s capital outlay proposal, which ranks the various construction projects the governor is backing. House Bill 2, which includes requests for state financial support, must be approved by the Legislature.

“We work with regional and local delegations to identify and fund priorities. The Children’s Hospital is one of the Baton Rouge-area delegation’s top priorities,” Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols said.

Read more: http://theadvocate.com/news/12196786-123/state-backing-for-new-baton