By KEVIN CHIRI

Publisher

LAPLACE – Rumors about the possible sale of River Parishes Hospital have been put to rest by CEO Scott Boudreaux.

With some New Orleans hospitals still not reopening following Hurricane Katrina, there has been a bit of posturing for possible purchase of some facilities, Boudreaux told L’Observateur this week.

The biggest rumor to circulate locally was that Ochsner was about to buy River Parishes Hospital, however that potential sale never got seriously off the ground.

&#8220River Parishes is currently not for sale,” Boudreaux said, &#8220but any business always listens to offers, and our hospital has been approached by some groups.”

Ochsner was one hospital which was definitely interested in River Parishes, while sources to L’Observateur indicate three others also expressed interest and had talks with the owners of RPE, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.

LifePoint presently owns 53 hospitals in the nation, with the majority in the eastern United States. They promote themselves as a group which has &#822051 rural community” hospitals. They purchased the St. John facility in July 2004.

Employees at River Parishes Hospital had contacted L’Observateur and asked about rumors they were hearing that Ochsner was ready to buy the local facility.

Boudreaux acknowledged that he also has been asked by employees there about the rumors which had circulated.

&#8220We had meetings and I was always getting asked about this,” he said. &#8220But I have constantly assured people that there is no purchase in the works.

&#8220However there is always a chance for any hospital to sell, especially one which has been doing well financially, such as this one,” Boudreaux added. &#8220We’ve been setting records for admissions and surgeries here, partly due to the lack of facilities in New Orleans.”

River Parishes Hospital employs approximately 330 full-time workers and is ranked among the top four employers in St. John Parish.

But for now, Boudreaux says it appears things will remain the same here.

&#8220Due to confidentiality, of course we can’t say who has contacted us, but we have had interest,” he said. &#8220But for now, as far as I know, there is no active pursuit for someone to buy this hospital.”