Acadiana's News Leader UMC Budget Cuts

University Medical Center in Lafayette has found out they will have to cut four million dollars in four months from their budget. Eight total programs will be completely eliminated.  However, some departments, like ophthalmology, orthopedic services and the e-n-t clinic which were in danger of disappearing, will remain. Some patients will be absorbed by other departments, but wait times will definitely increase. The cuts will also affect 130 employees, who will either be laid off or switched to a different department. A handful of physicians'  jobs will also be lost.

UMC Program Cuts

It's a story we've been following closely this week.  As we've reported, some major changes are on the way for the University Medical Center here in Lafayette.  The LSU Board of Supervisors is proposing to cut multiple programs for LSU health systems across the state including five programs here UMC.    

UMC stands to lose several programs like the ENT, OBGYN, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, and Pediatrics Department, which many say is the best in the state. Earlier this morning, the Legislative Black Caucus met with the Department of Health and Hospitals to come up with a game plan.
    

It's unfortunate news for patients physicians and many others as UMC stands to lose its specialized programs.  The anticipation has been building for weeks, and Friday the Legislative Black Caucus met with the DHH to discuss what's next. 
       

The state which is cutting a total of 29-million dollars from all the university hospitals will likely cut nearly 4-million from UMC.  And with those cuts to program, it also means job loss, which they're estimating to affect about 100 employees.  
    

And at the caucus and DHH meeting Friday, they were preparing for the worst, and discussing how they can handle the situation, and also plan for the next fiscal year on a limited budget.
    

They say the hard part is making room for the influx of people that will have to find a different place for healthcare especially those who rely on Medicaid.
     Haynes smith

"Of course, we know that poor people and those who are vulnerable--the elderly, across racial, ethnic lines, age gaps as well. They get the brunt of the impacts of the cuts" says State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith.

 
At this time, it's unclear when the programs will start to phase out but the layoffs are supposed to start sometime next month.

 Caroline Balchunas  

UMC Rally

A rally is took place in front of UMC Thursday. It was organized by two mothers who became concerned after hearing the hospital will cut millions from its budget this year. The two organizers say they hope they raise enough support to convince state leaders to intervene and stop the cuts from happening.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will make a final decision on what to cut Friday.