Louisiana Health Secretary Stephen Russo told the Senate Health and Welfare committee today he thought it was joke when he was told the state health agency received a 100-million dollar cut. The reduction in state funding came in the final hours of the legislative session as lawmakers finalized a budget deal. Russo says the cut could be deeper when you take into account matching federal dollars…
cut 13 (10) “come from”
Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health Karen Stubb says that means thousands of Medicaid recipients would lose outpatient treatment for mental health and substance abuse, which could be detrimental…
cut 14 (12) “….yes sir”
It’s expected Governor Edwards will restore the funding through the use of his line item veto authority.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill that creates the Office of the State Child Ombudsman, which will oversee how state agencies are treating children in the state’s care. The legislation comes after multiple toddlers died from overdoses despite warnings. Also problems at juvenile detention centers. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the bill received unanimous support and Louisiana joins 38 other states that have such an office…
cut 10 (03) “…..much better”
Barrow says the office will also assist parents or individuals who are facing accusations of child abuse or endangerment.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been in Australia for over a week promoting the Bayou State as tourist spot to Aussies…
cut 5 (13) “….this far”
Nungesser is set to return on Saturday.