Improving Birth Outcomes in Louisiana

Author: Rebekah E. Gee, MD, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health

In an effort to create a generation of healthier women and children in Louisiana, our team at the Louisiana Department of Health initiated the Louisiana Birth Outcomes quality effort in 2010. The team, that included staff from Medicaid, the Office of Public Health, the Louisiana Perinatal Commission and other medical experts, began with the goal of eliminating medically unnecessary or elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation as one of its major strategies. Specifically, this included cesarean deliveries or inducing labor through medication. 

Louisiana’s Medicaid eligibility expert retires

Career spent helping children and adults get access to health care services

Author: Jen Steele, Medicaid Director

Ruth Kennedy, a former Medicaid director with the Louisiana Department of Health, recently retired from our department. Ms. Kennedy is a nationally recognized expert in helping eligible individuals enroll in Medicaid services. Her expertise in designing and implementing outreach, enrollment and retention strategies resulted in Louisiana becoming a national leader in children’s coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or LaCHIP.

Colorectal Cancer: Still a problem

Author: David J. Holcombe, M.D., M.S.A., Regional Medical Director, Region 6 (Alexandria Region)

Colorectal cancer remains a significant problem in Louisiana.  Even though we have a highly effective screening method (i.e. colonoscopy), only 64.3% of adults over 50 have been screened. The inevitable result of low screening is a high number of new cases of colorectal cancer (3^rd in the U.S.) and the 4^th highest mortality rate among states.

LDH Secretary Dr. Gee spoke to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana this week and shared her thoughts on Medicaid expansion, budget cuts and more. Listen to her full interview.

http://wrkf.org/post/dr-rebekah-gee-medicaid-expansion-and-budget-cuts#stream/0

Department of Health and Department of Corrections team up to provide health care coverage for newly released offenders

Pre-Release Medicaid Enrollment Program for Offender Population

Author: Jennifer Katzman, Medicaid Program Manager

Numerous studies show that access to mental health, substance use and other health care services helps former offenders better integrate back into their communities, lessening the likelihood of these individuals committing future crimes. Now, because of Medicaid expansion, the Louisiana Department of Health and the Department of Corrections are helping incarcerated individuals enroll into Medicaid, with coverage beginning once the individual’s sentence is complete and they transition out of prison.