LRN AM Newscall July 31

The hearing that was scheduled for today on the possible sale of Steward Health Care, the operator of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe to American Healthcare Systems has been postponed to August 13th. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Newsweek ranked St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington as the 104th best cancer hospital in the U.S. and the best cancer hospital in Louisiana. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation to update online data privacy rules for children. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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The Louisiana Department of Education has named Dr. Amanda Austin from Iberville Math, Science, and Arts (MSA) Academy East in St. Gabriel as Principal of the Year.

Cut 4 (04) “…smiling faces.”

Austin started as an elementary school teacher fifteen years ago and became Assistant Principal at Plaquemine High School and now is the Principal at Iberville MSA Academy East.

Cut 5 (09) “…this school year.”

Austin says throughout her career she has worked with amazing principals who mentored her when she was teaching and now, she can become a mentor for her teachers.

Cut 6 (07) “…those opportunities.”

She’s also credited with reopening North Iberville High School after the school had been shuttered for more than a decade and created a thriving school with a STEM magnet program.

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A judge was expected to certify the transfer and bankruptcy proceedings of Steward Health Care, the operator of West Monroe’s Glenwood Regional Medical Center, today but it’s been pushed to August 13th. Because the actual property is owned by Medical Properties Trust, Monroe Representative Michael Echols says American Healthcare Systems should be buying the asset, not the operator.

Cut 7 (11) “…Ponzi schemes.”

Echols says he doesn’t believe American Healthcare Systems’ bid of a half-million to purchase the operator is the best option for Glenwood.

Cut 8 (09) “…operator.”

Echols says there needs to be fail safes in place to avoid disruption in care for medical facilities in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to light.

Since being forced by the Louisiana Department of Health to reduce patient load because of Steward’s financial problems, Monroe area hospitals have had to accept more patients.

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A Newsweek ranking found St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington to be the 104th best cancer hospital in the U.S. and the best in Louisiana. St. Tammany Health System President Joan Coffman says the ranking, which was determined in part through patient surveys, is an honor.

Cut 10 (12) “…broader community.”

Newsweek used professional surveys, hospital quality metrics, and patient experience surveys to rank each hospital. Coffman says while St. Tammany has partnerships with other hospital networks across the state, the secret to St. Tammany’s success is their staff.

Cut 11 (09) “…in partnership with so many.”

Market research firm Statista reported there were about 2 million new cases of cancer last year and 609,000 cancer-related deaths. Coffman says she and her team prioritize screening education and early detection to try and stop cancer before it’s a problem.

Cut 12 (09) “…focus on.”

Additionally, Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge came in 110th and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge came in 140th in the rankings.

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The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act is heading to the House after passing the Senate on a 91-3 vote. Senator Bill Cassidy says his legislation, nicknamed COPPA 2.0, updates online data privacy rules for children, like banning data collection on users under 17 instead of just those under 13.

Cut 13 (08)  “…peer pressure.”

COPPA 2.0 expands on the original COPPA from 1998 by adding modern updates like requiring companies to create an “Eraser Button” which would let users remove a minor’s personal online information. Cassidy says COPPA 2.0 is about protecting online users when they’re most vulnerable.

Cut 14 (10)  “…those laws,”

Cassidy disagrees that COPPA 2.0 borders on censorship or violates internet companies’ First Amendment rights, saying it’s no different than banning cigarette ads towards minors. He thinks internet companies haven’t been respectful of children’s online privacy since…

Cut 15 (12)  “…harmful behavior.”

The Senate also passed the Kids Online Safety Act, which Cassidy cosponsored.

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New Saints defensive end Chase Young has looked good in his limited reps during team drills at training camp. New Orleans is bringing Young along slowly after undergoing offseason neck surgery. Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson are penciled in as the starters at defensive end, but Coach Dennis Allen was asked if Young could play himself into the starting lineup…

Cut 16 (22) “…starting lineup.” 

2024 first round pick is Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) is getting reps with the first team at left tackle. Fuaga played right tackle at Oregon State and Allen likes what he’s seen from the former All-American…

Cut 17 (20) “…left tackle position.”