The situation is grave,

We are seeing a domino effect as our Katrina- and Rita-related financial and personnel issues impact our other seven hospitals. With immediate help, we can keep the Charity system on its feet and continue to heal. Without it, Louisiana public health care will fall.

How many will stay, how many will repatriate to New Orleans has yet to be determined, ... But we know we have a responsibility to care for the underinsured, the uninsured.

We've almost exhausted local resources, ... We are looking to interstate cooperation on into the next few days to handle this tremendous surge that is exhausting the health care resources and ultimately compromising many hundreds of sick people who are in our hospitals.

We've requested security for all of our facilities, but unfortunately we've almost tapped out our National Guard resources,

should tour the facility so he can see for himself the extent of the damage.