Department

Louisiana's Medicaid expansion program has helped create or support nearly 19,200 jobs across the state and $178 million in state and local taxes.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public health is offering STD testing at no cost to patients at select Parish Health Units on April 24, April 25 and April 26 in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STD Awareness Month. Through this initiative, the Office of Public Health hopes to promote awareness about STDs and remove potential barriers for screening and testing. In addition to STD screening, residents can also receive free testing for HIV.

Louisiana state health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles in New Orleans. The illness was confirmed through laboratory testing in a recent traveler from Europe to New Orleans.

The Louisiana Department of Health is seeking public input as the State moves towards improving its Medicaid managed care program. Those who are interested in learning more about the department's plans are invited to attend one of three forums scheduled this week or the final forum set for April 5 in Slidell

Oysters in Lake Borgne and the Mississippi Sound (known as harvest areas 1 and 2) can now be transplanted to other waters. The State of Louisiana is taking this emergency action to protect oyster reefs from freshwater intrusion following the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

The Department of Health submits a detailed monthly report to the Legislature that provides a comprehensive overview of Medicaid spending. The reports include projections for future revenues and expenditures for the given state fiscal year.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities will host a series of statewide community meetings for individuals with developmental disabilities who are on the agency’s waiting list for home and community-based waiver services. There are 20 meetings scheduled in 13 communities, beginning on March 20 in Pineville.

The Louisiana Department of Health is making mosquito-fighting equipment and pesticides available to some towns, cities, parishes, tribes and other governmental entities that do not operate surveillance-based mosquito control programs.

Today, Gov. John Bel. Edwards joined officials in the town of St. Joseph, LA to unveil the new Comprehensive Water Distribution System Replacement Project and lifted the public health emergency declaration.

Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee will be attending the March 15 forum in Lafayette.