Office of the Secretary

Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and a group of Baton Rouge-area hospitals announced changes to expand access to urgent and emergency room (ER) care for individuals in the Baton Rouge Community. Those changes include increasing and aligning access hours and capacity for urgent care visits at the LSU Health Baton Rouge urgent care clnic on North Foster Drive (effective March 23), other clinic service expansions and efforts by Baton Rouge-area hospitals to increase emergency department (ED) capacity.

Today, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kliebert announced the appointment of Hugh Eley as deputy secretary upon the departure of Courtney Phillips.

This afternoon, Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy Kliebert took the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter Director Kelly Viator challenged Secretary Kliebert, and this afternoon Viator soaked Kliebert with four gallons of frigid ice water.

The new school year is approaching, is your child ready? Preparation isn't limited to getting uniforms and school supplies. Every child should be protected before heading to the classroom and that means being certain they are up-to-date on their childhood vaccinations. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reminds parents that ensuring children have received their necessary vaccinations is not only important, it's the law.

This weekend, communities across the nation and throughout the world will unite to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal proclaimed June 15, 2014 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Today, the Louisiana Senate confirmed three appointments of Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) employees to top level positions. Earlier this year, DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert appointed Jeff Reynolds as DHH undersecretary, Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health and Mark Thomas as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.

Are you ready for hurricane season? Now is the time to get ready; hurricane season starts Sunday. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) encourages Louisiana residents to begin planning now for how they will protect their families, homes and property if tropical weather impacts the state.

Late this afternoon, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) was notified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the remaining state plan amendments (SPAs) for the public-private partnerships have been denied. This is an unprecedented step by the federal government that contradicts earlier approval actions by CMS. The Department will appeal the decision by CMS through an administrative appeal. There is no short-term budget impact as a result of the CMS decision.

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy Kliebert announced today the appointment of Louisiana Medicaid Deputy Director Jeff Reynolds to succeed Jerry Phillips as undersecretary of the Department. Reynolds will assume his new responsibilities following Phillips’ retirement on March 10, 2014 from the state after 25 years of service at DHH and a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps. Phillips was instrumental in the successful creation of nine public-private partnerships aimed at improving access and availability to care for generations of Louisiana residents to come. Following his retirement, Phillips will pursue other employment options with the State in order to ensure the continuity of those partnerships.

The [Best Fed Beginnings] program’s major goal is to increase the number of breastfed babies. The $6 million initiative began last year and will conclude in September 2014. The 89 participating hospitals must complete the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding program. By doing so, they will receive a “baby-friendly” designation from the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund.