At the request of Dr. Farida Baig, a nephrologist on staff at River Parishes Hospital and medical director of the LaPlace Dialysis Center, United States Congressman Steve Scalise met with community and healthcare leaders during his Aug. 17 visit to the LaPlace Dialysis Center

Scalise was invited to tour the center and given the opportunity to speak with several dialysis patients. Then, in an open discussion, he presented his position on healthcare reform and the challenges affecting both providers and recipients of healthcare services throughout the nation. He also shared his views on the national budget, the federal deficit and what he feels is the next step in securing Social Security and Medicare for future generations. Following his address, the Congressman answered questions from those in attendance.

“Congressman Scalise will be able to take this information back with him to Washington as he resumes his efforts to ensure that the health care services the residents of the River Parishes need and deserve is available and accessible now and in the future,” said Gerald A. Fornoff, chief executive officer of River Parishes Hospital. “Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Baig and the Renal Physicians Association, we were able to give the congressman an insight into the challenges health care industries are experiencing and press upon him to consider these challenges when making his proposals regarding healthcare reform.”