Office of the Secretary

Today, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced the completion of a report by a team of researchers led by economist Dr. Jim Richardson of the Public Administration Institute at Louisiana State University (LSU) highlighting the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. The report, Medicaid Expansion and the Louisiana Economy, shows that for state fiscal year 2018, Medicaid expansion continues to provide thousands of jobs statewide. Using additional data for this latest report, expansion is currently supporting more than 14,000 jobs across the state and supporting $889 million in personal earnings.

The Louisiana Department of Health on Wednesday held the first Maternal Mortality Summit, a meeting of public health professionals, providers, policy makers and community leaders focused on improving childbirth outcomes.

Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, was recognized last night by Modern Healthcare as one of its 2019 Women Leaders to Watch in Healthcare.

Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of its 2019 Women Leaders to Watch in Healthcare.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Health released a solicitation for offers (SFO) to identify a pharmaceutical partner to negotiate unrestricted access to curative treatment for hepatitis C for Medicaid and incarcerated patients in Louisiana.

In its most recent audit of the Louisiana Department of Health, the Legislative Auditor cited several instances in which reductions to the health agency’s budget limited the effectiveness of its Medicaid fraud detection efforts.

Effective this week, and after more than three years of planning, development, and testing the Louisiana Department of Health has launched a new automated system for Medicaid eligibility and enrollment. This updated IT infrastructure will improve customer service, boost efficiency, and increase the accuracy of Medicaid eligibility decisions.

Changing Lives. Saving Lives

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards was joined by Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary, Louisiana Department of Health, Kristy Duffey, UnitedHealth Group Chief Clinical Officer and board member of United Health Foundation, and many leaders in health care, business, government, and other sectors to announce a statewide collaborative effort to address cancer in Louisiana.

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee touted a report from Dr. Jim Richardson of the Public Administration Institute at Louisiana State University (LSU) highlighting the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. The report, released today, shows that Medicaid expansion, the federal/state health care program that provides health coverage for individuals with income less than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, is leveraging an infusion of $1.85 billion in federal funds to create or retain nearly 19,200 jobs and support nearly $3.6 billion in economic activity for the state of Louisiana.