February 10, 2003 CommunityCARE Kickoff in Lafayette on Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, Feb 10, 2003 - Louisiana state health officials will host a public forum this Wednesday to introduce the CommunityCARE program to local medical professionals and community leaders. David W. Hood, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, will make a brief presentation about how this program will improve the delivery of medical services to Medicaid recipients in this area. CommunityCARE will begin in the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion on March 1.

Through CommunityCARE, Medicaid recipients in several Acadiana parishes soon will be linked to a doctor who will coordinate their medical care. Approximately 75 percent of the population to be enrolled in CommunityCARE will be children who now have health coverage either through LaCHIP or traditional Medicaid.

LDH Medical Director Dr. Jimmy Guidry will present information regarding how the CommunityCARE program will impact Medicaid providers and recipients in the Acadiana area.

A private physician who cares for Medicaid patients will be on hand to talk about his personal experience with the CommunityCARE program. Several area legislators are also expected to be in attendance.

Time: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Hotel Acadiana - Madison Room
1801 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette