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LDH News

• September 11, 2019

  Home and Community - Based Services Waivers - Residential Options Waiver LAC 50:XXI.Chapters 161, 163 and §16901

  Amends the provisions governing the Residential Options Waiver (ROW) in order to restore the minimum age for access to the ROW and delete the grandfather clause for participants under age 21, add the monitored in-home caregiving service, change units for specific services to a 15 minute rate and clarify and align provisions of the ROW with other Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities home and community-based services waivers.

• September 11, 2019

  Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments - Major Medical Centers LAC 50:V.2503 and 2719

  Adopts provisions to establish a qualification criteria and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment methodology for major medical centers located in the southeastern area of Louisiana.

• September 10, 2019

  Louisiana's uninsured rate drops again, even as national uninsured rate increased

  Today, the United States Census Bureau released new statistics showing that Louisiana’s uninsured rate dropped to 8 percent in 2018, falling further below the national rate of 8.9 percent. Thanks in large part to Medicaid expansion, 19,000 fewer Louisianans were uninsured in 2018 compared to 2017. There are now more people with health insurance than at any point in the state’s history, according to the U.S. Census data.

• September 09, 2019

  Health department disagrees with audit of behavioral health managed care

  A recent audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor makes recommendations, and has audit findings, that are inconsistent with the managed care model of health care.

• September 06, 2019

  Region 7 Office of Public Health’s phones temporarily out of order

  Those attempting to contact the Region 7 Office of Public Health by telephone will be unable to do so temporarily as the phone system undergoes upgrades. Region 7 serves Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes.

• September 05, 2019

  Louisiana receives $4.9 million CDC grant to fund opioid data programs

  Through a $4.9 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisiana Department of Health will fund opioid surveillance programs aimed at strengthening prevention strategies to tackle the opioid epidemic in Louisiana.

• September 04, 2019

  Department of Health issues alert to physicians to report vaping-related illnesses

  Due to the growing number of people throughout the country who have been hospitalized with severe pulmonary disease associated with using e-cigarette products, the Louisiana Department of Health is asking physicians and other healthcare providers to report these suspect cases to state health officials.

• August 30, 2019

  Louisiana Department of Health releases new report highlighting economic impact of Medicaid expansion

  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.

• August 30, 2019

  Toxin caused by algae in Lake Pontchartrain is below advisory level

  Recent testing of waters from Lake Pontchartrain shows a toxin produced by cyanobacteria, sometimes referred to as blue-green algae, is below the limit recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the protection of swimmers.

• August 29, 2019

  Department of Health to seek emergency contracts for Medicaid health plans

  LDH announced today that it is moving to implement emergency contracts with the five health plans that are currently under contract to serve the state’s 1.5 million Medicaid recipients.

• August 29, 2019

  Children and flu dangers

  An updated fact sheet focusing on children and the dangers of flu is now available. The flu poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of children each year. Vaccination is important to prevent flu infection.

• August 29, 2019

  Pneumococcal Disease Facts (Q & A)

  The updated pneumococcal disease fact sheet is now available. Pneumococcal disease is caused by germs that can infect the lungs, the blood, and the membrane that covers the brain. There are recommended vaccines that will prevent it.