We are seeing a domino effect as our Katrina- and Rita-related financial and personnel issues impact our other seven hospitals. With immediate help, we can keep the Charity system on its feet and continue to heal. Without it, Louisiana public health care will fall.

The (old) facilities are unusable for health care purposes, ... That doesn't mean the public hospital system is down and out.

It's not really up to the hospitals to decide what the health care delivery system should be.

How many will stay, how many will repatriate to New Orleans has yet to be determined. But we know we have a responsibility to care for the underinsured, the uninsured.