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The Department of Health and Hospitals announced today it will close the New Orleans Home nursing home by the fall of 2005. The announcement follows recommendations made to the agency as it developed its draft Long Term Care Report that was presented to Gov. Blanco’s Health Care Reform Panel last year.
In light of recent news reports that the pain-relieving drugs Celebrex and Bextra might increase risk for heart attacks and strokes, the Department of Health and Hospitals is placing safeguards in the Medicaid Pharmacy Program to ensure these drugs are prescribed with caution.
Many pregnant women who apply and are eligible for LaMOMS health coverage are now receiving their Medicaid card in less than a week. This means they can begin receiving important prenatal care sooner, thanks to some new Department of Health & Hospitals policies and procedures for priority processing of their applications.
A statistical review by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Tumor Registry shows some cancer rates in the Cow Island area to be higher and some to be lower when compared to similar cancer rates in Vermilion Parish and throughout the state.
Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise, along with officials from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will attend the grand opening of a new Louisiana community health center in the city of Zachary.
Dr. Fred Cerise, secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals said today the federal budget released earlier this week by the Bush Administration may result in further reductions in federal funds to Louisiana.
Studies conducted by the Department of Health and Hospitals show that certain communities in central Louisiana have a larger percentage of families with children who are qualified for, but not enrolled in, the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program. LaCHIP is a free health insurance program designed for the children (up to age 19) of Louisiana’s working families who earn more than allowed in traditional Medicaid. For example, a family of four can earn approximately $38,000 a year and still qualify for LaCHIP.
Last week, the Department of Health and Hospitals sent notices to all health care providers participating in the EarlySteps (Part C) system that reimbursement rates would be reduced by 25 percent beginning Feb. 1. The rate reduction is a first step to control costs in this entitlement program, which provides early intervention services to children up to age three with developmental delays and disabilities.
The Department of Health and Hospitals today revoked restrictions on flu vaccines, meaning available doses no longer are limited to certain groups. However, health officials noted there still is limited vaccine supply in the state.Anyone who wants a flu shot and previously did not receive one is encouraged to call his or her primary care physician or their local health unit to ask if vaccine is available.
Louisiana’s efforts to reduce the number of children living without health insurance have received a significant boost from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The department’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded an additional $10.7 million to the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides no-cost health care coverage for low-income children under the age of 19.
Under an oyster relaying program, Louisiana oyster harvesters can now be permitted to move oysters from the public oyster seed grounds located southwest of Point Au Fer, Atchafalaya Bay and transplant them to private leases for later harvest. This program is part of an initiative by both the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
According to national health experts, the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets has increased the risk that many people may not be getting the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for health and well-being such as folic acid. This is because carbohydrates such as fortified grains are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.