LDH News

During National Public Health Week, health departments and other healthcare entities around the country celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for health and fair policies, share strategies for successful partnerships and champion the role of a strong public health system.

This system electronically records and documents precisely the type of service performed, the individual receiving the service, the date of the service, the location of service delivery, the individual providing the service, and the time the service begins and ends.

The Department of Health and Department of Corrections will now establish a contract with Asegua Therapeutics to make its medication, the authorized generic of Epclusa® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir tablets), available to hepatitis C patients enrolled in Medicaid and to treat incarcerated patients over the next five years.

The Louisiana Department of Health is accepting comments through 11:59 p.m. CST on March 29, 2019 on developing a vision for a modern and comprehensive crisis system of care.

In its most recent comprehensive audit of the management and finances of the Louisiana Department of Health and its Medicaid program, the Legislative Auditor identified nine findings. The findings included process and record keeping errors and a single overpayment of $8,112 to home and community-based providers because services were not properly documented.

The cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are joining with the Louisiana Department of Health in pledging their support for the U=U Campaign. In February, LDH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee gave the Department’s support for the campaign.

The system is intended to serve people who are experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. A question-and-answer session will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 14 in Room 118 of the Bienville Building, 628 N. Fourth St., Baton Rouge.

Taking Aim at Cancer in Louisiana (TACL), an organization formed last year to address Louisiana’s high rates of cancer, reached a milestone last month when its executive committee adopted bylaws and elected officers to establish TACL (pronounced ‘tackle’) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The Louisiana Department of Health is currently providing leadership and support for the initiative.

Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, said that having three pharmaceutical companies submit a response means the State is one giant step closer to its goal of eliminating hepatitis C in Louisiana.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March 2019 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Louisiana. The month-long observance promotes awareness of the resources available to those experiencing problems with gambling.