WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE) – KNOE viewers have reached out to the newsroom with their concerns about the status of Glenwood Regional Medical Center. The hospital’s owner, Steward Health Care, is facing lawsuits and financial challenges across the country.

In exclusive interviews with KNOE, both Senator Bill Cassidy and Louisiana Secretary of Health Ralph Abraham emphasized that leaders are aware of the challenges being faced by Glenwood staff.

In December 2023, Glenwood was under an “immediate jeopardy” (IJ) status with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Standards Division due to shortages in staff and supplies. A plan was put in place to address those issues, and LDH lifted any restrictions and the immediate jeopardy status on December 15.

KNOE has confirmed through multiple sources that Glenwood was again on immediate jeopardy status again as recently as late February. LDH and Steward did not respond to requests to clarify the reasoning behind the most recent change in status.

Abraham said LDH’s role is to ensure the hospital complies with licensing and that standards of care are followed.

“I assure you that LDH is doing everything it can and will continue to do [so] to make sure that patients are being taken care of,” Abraham said. “They have access and that the services they receive are very, very good.”

In a March 6 statement, Steward Health Care says “Glenwood Regional Medical Center is open for business 24/7 operating all services including Emergency Room, Surgery, Imaging and Diagnostics, Cath lab and chest pain services as well as behavioral health. We continue to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health to assure NE Louisiana that we are open for business and continue to provide safe and excellent care for our patients. The over 600 employees and Medical Staff members of Glenwood appreciate this region’s support while other corporate matters are being addressed. All services are available at Glenwood at this time.”

Cassidy said he’s concerned that Steward is so poorly managed that they are draining resources from Louisiana to support operations that are not profitable elsewhere. He said he hopes there is a buyer for Glenwood so the hospital can get back on track and patients across Northeast Louisiana have the health care they need.

Abraham and Cassidy, both doctors themselves, said they’re concerned about talented people like doctors, specialists and other medical staff leaving Northeast Louisiana due to Steward’s mismanagement of Glenwood. Abraham said that he and Governor Jeff Landry are getting daily updates on the Steward situation and he said “doing everything we can to ensure that as this process evolves, things are quickly going to get better.” The governor’s office has not responded to multiple requests from KNOE for comment.

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