Louisiana Registered Nurses Support Coordinated Care Networks

Friday, Feb. 25, 2011  |  Contact: Lisa R. Faust; (225) 342-7913 or (225) 252-3579

BATON ROUGE - Today, the Louisiana State Nurses Association released a letter supporting the state's proposal to transform Medicaid through Coordinated Care Networks, as a framework to initiate reform of Louisiana's health care service delivery system.

In the letter, Louisiana State Nurses Association President Denise Danna thanked Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein and his staff for meeting with the organization to outline the Coordinated Care Networks proposal, which would more effectively coordinate treatment and services for the majority of the state's Medicaid recipients, who today receive care through a strictly fee-for-service system.

Excerpt from Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA) Letter

"We understand resources are limited and health care needs are great. We join you in supporting the objectives of an effective reform program, anchored upon evidence-based disease management standards with measurable goals and outcomes. We support provider-demonstrated accountability for services. We acknowledge and support the need for expanded utilization of Information Technology in care delivery, data collection and outcome reporting. Creating an environment of coordinated care, including patient education, is consistent with nursing's goal of providing our patients with a spectrum of services, which can be tailored to meet the individual's health care needs. As we understand, the program will focus on enhancing preventive services and effective chronic care management.

We support Coordinated Care Networks as a framework to initiate a reformed system of care. We commit to you that we will continue to work with you and your staff to address any concerns as this framework develops.

LSNA looks forward to continued active participation in the future of Louisiana's health care to ensure access to affordable and high-quality health care for our citizens. We believe that this is an opportunity for nurses to participate in collaborative efforts with other members of the health care team to redesign and improve health systems."

A copy of the support letter is available online at www.MakingMedicaidBetter.com. This site is updated frequently with information about the state's progression toward implementing Coordinated Care Networks, and the public is advised to visit this site often to see the most up-to-date details.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog at www.myhealthla.org, Twitter at http://twitter.com/La_Health_Dept and on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/LaHealthDept.