The state’s top anti-abortion group has announced its opposition to a House bill that would charge a pregnant woman with murder if she has an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper says the legislation is inconsistent with one of their long-standing policies
Cut 10 (06) “…as a criminal”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s measure would make abortions illegal in Louisiana and also charge anyone involved in the abortion with a homicide. A house vote is scheduled for Thursday.

The state Department of Health reports fewer pregnant women in Louisiana are having a cesarean section. C-sections fell to 29-percent last year for all deliveries; down from 33-percent the year before. Medical Director Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell says this data bucks a national trend…:
Cut 7 (13) “…without maternal benefit.”
LDH says cesarean births are often life-saving procedures, however they should be the exception and not the rule.

Breakthrough pacemaker technology is being used at an Ochsner facility in Baton Rouge. Electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra says they can use a leadless device to enable biventricular pacing without the need to attach wires to the heart muscle…
cut 4 (10) “….through the veins”
Doctor Abi-Samra calls the new device a game-changer for patients.

The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has reached four dollars again. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says prices at the pump have jumped 13-cents since last Monday to reflect last week’s ten-percent increase in crude oil prices….
cut 9 (11) “…crude”
Redman encourages motorists to budget for four-dollar a gallon gas for the near future.