DEAR EDITOR: On Nov. 5, there is an important election for everyone in Louisiana who wants to improve the quality of healthcare in our state. Amendment 3 – The Budget Fairness Amendment – will be on the ballot and up for a vote.

River Parishes Hospital urge voters to vote FOR this critical constitutional amendment by voting FOR Amendment 3.

Amendment 3 will allow the governor and legislature to make budget cuts across the board in times of budget crises. Currently, healthcare and higher education feel the pain of the budget knife when cuts are made. It will help insure that essential healthcare for children and seniors will be protected in the state budget. It will help keep rural health clinics open, protect TOPS money from possible cuts and constitutionally limit any cuts to K-12 budgets.

We urge the voters of Louisiana to vote FOR Amendment 3 on Nov. 5. It is an important step to return budget fairness to our state. It is a critical step to protect the essential healthcare of millions of fellow Louisianians.

Robert A. Prehn, Ph.D.
CEO, River Parishes Hospital