Vitter, House Speaker Jim Tucker and Treasurer John Kennedy sent a letter Thursday to Gov. Bobby Jindal with their recommendations in a striking statement that sets them at odds with Jindal. All are Republicans.
Obtained by The Associated Press, the letter proposes buying a share of Tulane University's New Orleans hospital and a Jefferson Parish hospital. Combined with a new facility smaller than the 424-bed hospital proposed by Jindal, the three would make up University Medical Center.
The plan envisions costs well below the $1.2 billion current price tag and would be achieved with dollars already in hand.