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Governor Convenes Reform Panel in State Capital
Looking back over the past year to review health care initiatives underway and discuss ongoing reform efforts will be the main topic at the fourth meeting of the Governor’s Health Care Reform Panel.
LDH News
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DHH Makes Plans to Close New Orleans Home
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.
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Medicaid Program Implements Patient Safeguards Against Potentially Dangerous Drugs
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.
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Medicaid Expedites Application Process for Mothers-to-Be
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.
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Health Review Shows Some Cancer Rates Higher, Some Lower in Cow Island Area
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.
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Health Officials to Visit New Community Health Center
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.
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DHH Responds to President Bush’s Budget
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.
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Sign up for Health Insurance at Wal-Mart Event
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.
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DHH Reduces Payments to EarlySteps Providers
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.
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Health Department Lifts Flu Shot Restrictions
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.
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State Receives Additional Funding for Children’s Health Coverage
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.
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Oyster Transplant Permits Available for March
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.