Health
Louisiana to receive $325M from opioid settlement case
Louisiana should receive more than $325 million as part of a settlement that multiple states and local governments reached with three drug companies and a company that manufactured and marketed opioids, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced Wednesday. Landry was part of a bipartisan group of attorneys general from across the United States who accused […]
Only 45% of staff at Louisiana’s nursing homes are fully vaccinated
Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana health officials have been engaged in an all-out public relations campaign to convince skeptical Louisianians that COVID-19 is deadly, that the new Delta variant is even more infectious and that vaccination against the novel coronavirus is a proven method of avoiding life-threatening illness and death. Their campaign has included […]
Unvaccinated Louisiana residents face heightened risk of COVID-19 amid new spike
With a confirmed surge in COVID-19 cases, the Louisiana Health Department warned residents that unvaccinated people were at much higher risk during the ongoing pandemic. On Wednesday, the state reported 1,936 new COVID-19 cases, 10 new deaths, 468 COVID-19 patients hospitalized and 40 COVID-19 patients on ventilators. Since May, according to the health department, 94% […]
Delta variant means Louisiana will likely see another surge of COVID-19, health officials say
Louisiana health officials said Thursday that low vaccination rates and a new strain of the novel coronavirus are responsible for a rising number of cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19. In an online news conference Thursday, those officials also warned that yet another COVID-19 surge is likely. According to State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter, seven […]
Delta variant of the novel coronavirus driving up Louisiana’s COVID-19 numbers
With the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus spreading across Louisiana parishes, recent data indicate a corresponding uptick in COVID-19 cases. Hospitalization rates have been steadily rising in the past few days, starting on July 1 with 259 COVID-19 patients hospitalized. On July 7, 348 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. According to the Louisiana Department of […]
Louisiana has three new abortion laws: Here’s what they do
Louisiana has three new laws aimed at restricting and deterring abortion. Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat who opposes abortion, announced last week he signed the measures. Here’s a rundown of what they do: Medical professionals will be required to suggest ‘abortion reversal’ may be possible Act 483 — which will take effect Aug. 1 […]
Louisiana state workers, teachers will have access to weight-loss surgery
Louisiana’s health insurance plans that cover state workers and public school teachers will now help pay for weight-loss surgeries that people had previously had to cover out of their own pockets. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law Senate Bill 150, sponsored by Sen. Regina Barrow (D-Baton Rouge), to provide weight-loss surgery coverage to people […]
Louisiana ranks 48th in overall child well-being, a report finds
Louisiana children rank near the bottom of the country in overall well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book report, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report “describes how children across the United States were faring before… the coronavirus pandemic,” as the latest available data used was from 2019. States’ rankings are […]
More than 160,000 sign up for $1 million vaccine lottery after first day
More than 160,000 vaccinated Louisianians entered for the chance to win $1 million Monday as the Louisiana Department of Health launched “Shot at a Million,” a lottery for vaccinated Louisiana residents and the state’s latest vaccine incentive program. Fourteen Louisiana residents who enter the vaccine lottery will win cash prizes — including four prizes of […]
Fraction of La. unemployment payments went to dead people, audit finds
The Louisiana Workforce Commission distributed just over one one-hundredth of its total unemployment payments to people who were dead during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, who noted that the vast majority of these mistaken payments were unpreventable and largely the result of bad timing. According to a report released last week, […]
Gov. Edwards will likely approve early end to $300 unemployment supplement
Louisiana lawmakers on Thursday made a late-hour deal on legislation to discontinue the $300 federal unemployment supplement that the state provides out-of-work residents in exchange for raising the state’s regular unemployment benefits by about $28 per week. The bill heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who indicated he would likely sign it into law. House […]
‘Pink tax’ exemption heads to Gov. Edwards for approval
The Louisiana Legislature passed the so-called “pink tax” exemption bill on Thursday, proposing a state sales tax exemption on feminine hygiene products and diapers. The bill heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards for consideration. The final passage of House Bill 7, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman (D-New Orleans), marks a new step for pink tax […]