Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy recently toured the Bayou Bend Health and Wellness Center in St. Mary Parish, a facility that has been serving patients since 1953. The center offers services comparable to those found in larger city hospitals.

"As a doctor, I know that good health care is important for the individual, the family, and the community," said Dr. Cassidy. "Families will move to a community based upon the quality of their health care. Bayou Bend is meeting those needs and then some."

Cassidy has been active in healthcare legislation, having reintroduced the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act last July. This act aims to expand Medicare coverage for chronic weight management medications and specialists. He has also introduced other legislation supporting rural healthcare, including acts focusing on ambulance services, peer counseling for seniors, and telehealth support through Medicare.

The announcement by Cassidy and Governor Jeff Landry in August allocated $1.35 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for rural broadband expansion in Louisiana, facilitating telehealth advancements.

Bayou Bend offers various medical services such as respiratory therapy, radiology, pain management, maternity care, and surgical services. Its Wellness Center includes a fitness center with an indoor track, group exercise studios, cycling space, wellness testing areas, and expanded therapy options. Ms. Stephanie Guidry, CEO of Bayou Bend, led Cassidy on his tour of both facilities.

"We are so thankful that Senator Cassidy took some time out of his schedule for a tour," said Ms. Guidry. "We had wonderful discussions about Bayou Bend’s growth and strategy to transition from treating illness to creating wellness in the communities we serve."

Following his visit to Bayou Bend, Cassidy met with local leaders in Morgan City to discuss infrastructure improvements in St. Mary Parish. His IIJA has provided significant funding for local projects such as levee surfacing replacements along the Atchafalaya Basin and dock expansion at the Port of Morgan City.

Mr. Evan Boudreaux expressed appreciation for Cassidy's efforts: "A critical factor in cultivating long-lasting economic growth in any community is having all of your partners come to the table to move the needle on addressing local challenges."