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LDH News

• May 14, 2014

  Louisiana Ranks 12th in Nation for Serving Disabilities Population

  An independent analysis ranked Louisiana 12th in how it delivers care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The 2014 Case for Inclusion rankings produced by the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is an annual ranking of how well state Medicaid programs serve Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Case for Inclusion ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their outcomes for Americans with ID/DD. In addition to being ranked 12, Louisiana was the second most improved state, jumping 36 spots, from 44 in 2007 to 12 in 2014.

• May 09, 2014

  DHH Medicaid Medical Director Receives Health Care Heroes Award

  Today, New Orleans CityBusiness honored recipients of its annual Health Care Heroes program. Dr. Rebekah Gee, Department of Health and Hospitals Medicaid Medical Director, was one of the physicians receiving the award for her work as Assistant Professor of Public Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the LSU Schools of Public Health and Medicine.

• May 02, 2014

  DHH to Appeal State Plan Amendment Denial

  Late this afternoon, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) was notified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the remaining state plan amendments (SPAs) for the public-private partnerships have been denied. This is an unprecedented step by the federal government that contradicts earlier approval actions by CMS. The Department will appeal the decision by CMS through an administrative appeal. There is no short-term budget impact as a result of the CMS decision.

• March 31, 2014

  Louisiana Medicaid Offers Applied Behavioral Analysis Services

• March 24, 2014

  Majority of Water Systems Comply with LDH Emergency Rule Requiring Higher Disinfectant Levels in Drinking Water

  The Department of Health and Hospitals on Monday announced that around 95 percent of the state’s drinking water systems have complied with an emergency rule issued last year requiring increased disinfectant levels in drinking water and increased monitoring of water quality.

• March 21, 2014

  DHH Announces Contract Recommendation for Statewide Dental Benefits Program Manager

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals today announced that Managed Care of North America Dental (MCNA) is being recommended for the contract as the Dental Benefits Program Manager to provide dental services for 1.2 million Medicaid and LaCHIP enrollees.

• March 20, 2014

  DHH Issues Emergency Rule Banning the Sale or Use of Eight Additional Synthetic Drugs

  The Department of Health and Hospitals today issued an Emergency Rule banning the sale or use of eight additional synthetic cannabinoids, commonly marketed as synthetic marijuana, following reports from law enforcement officials of a high number of associated drug overdoses in recent weeks.

• March 11, 2014

  DHH Announces 2014 Regular Session Legislative Package

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) today announced its 2014 Regular Session Legislative Package, which includes five bills that promote the health and welfare of pregnant women and their children, strengthen home and community-based services and make technical clarifications to previous legislation.

• February 12, 2014

  Jeff Reynolds to Succeed Jerry Phillips as LDH Undersecretary

  Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy Kliebert announced today the appointment of Louisiana Medicaid Deputy Director Jeff Reynolds to succeed Jerry Phillips as undersecretary of the Department. Reynolds will assume his new responsibilities following Phillips’ retirement on March 10, 2014 from the state after 25 years of service at DHH and a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps. Phillips was instrumental in the successful creation of nine public-private partnerships aimed at improving access and availability to care for generations of Louisiana residents to come. Following his retirement, Phillips will pursue other employment options with the State in order to ensure the continuity of those partnerships.

• February 11, 2014

  Following Chlorine Burn, CDC Test Results Negative for Naegleria Fowleri Ameba in St. Bernard Parish Water System

  Water samples taken in late January from the St. Bernard parish water system have tested negative for the rare ameba Naegleria fowleri, meaning increased chlorine levels in the system have controlled the ameba, the Department of Health and Hospitals announced Tuesday.

• February 06, 2014

  DHH Brings Parents as Teachers Program to 13 North Louisiana Parishes

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, in collaboration with the Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center, announces the recent implementation of the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home-visiting program in select areas of northern Louisiana. The voluntary and evidence-based program is currently available in the following parishes: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas.

• February 03, 2014

  Update to Planned February 4 Public Meeting Agenda

  The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is rescinding its November 2013 emergency rule for outpatient abortion facilities licensing standards. The notice of intent to finalize the rule scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow, Feb. 4, has been removed from the hearing’s agenda. The Department will reissue a revised rule and notice of intent at a later date. Once a new notice of intent has been filed, a new public hearing will be scheduled to receive public comments.