Health Department to Hold "Making Medicaid Better" Forum in Lafayette Dec. 9

The Department of Health and Hospitals is holding a series of "Making Medicaid Better" forums around the state through mid-December to further the dialogue with citizens and stakeholders on how to make Medicaid better and improve health outcomes by coordinating recipients' health care.

The "Making Medicaid Better" forum for the Acadiana region will take place Thursday, Dec. 9, from 4-7 p.m. at National EMS Academy, 2916 North University Avenue, in Lafayette (Google map). This is a public meeting, and media and members of the public are welcome to participate. No registration is required.

DHH will record the forum and make the video available at www.MakingMedicaidBetter.com as technology permits. The department is also posting questions received at each forum and answers from Medicaid staff at www.MakingMedicaidBetter.com. An agenda for this meeting is included below, and is available online.

The schedule of all Making Medicaid Better forums taking place around the state is online at www.MakingMedicaidBetter.com. This site is updated frequently as information becomes available, and the public is advised to visit the site often for the latest details. Visitors to the site also can review information about DHH's proposal to transform Medicaid, sign up to receive the Making Medicaid Better newsletter and submit their comments or questions electronically.

Making Medicaid Better Forum

December 9, 2010 * 4 p.m. * National EMS Academy

4 p.m.    Welcome and State of Health Care in Louisiana
Fred Mills, Representative
Louisiana House of Representatives

Bruce D. Greenstein, Secretary
Department of Health and Hospitals

4:15 p.m.    Plan for Managing Care in Louisiana
Rodney Wise, M.D., Medical Director
Department of Health and Hospitals

4:45 p.m.    A Lafayette Perspective on Managing Care
Suzanne Foster, M.D., Pediatrics
SWLA Center for Health Services at Lafayette

5 p.m.    Discussion and Question & Answer Session

7 p.m.    Closing and Schedule of Regional Meetings