Today Louisianans can start enrolling in the newly expanded Medicaid program. Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants a better quality of life and better health outcomes for the people of this state, and he says that starts with access to coverage…:
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More information on enrollment and qualifying can be found online at healthy.la.gov or by calling 1-888-342-6207.

After about an hour of debate, the state Senate passed its version of the operating budget proposal for next fiscal year. There are several cuts included in the $26 billion dollar spending plan, including to TOPS and the state’s safety net hospitals, but lawmakers in the upper chamber said hopefully they can be addressed in the second special session which begins Monday. Leaders from both sides now have 5 days to reach a compromise.

A blind man from Metairie is suing McDonald’s after he walked up to the window in the drive-thru line and was refused service. Scott Magee’s attorney Roberto Costales says his client wants late-night McDonald’s..:
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He says his client doesn’t want money, just wants McDonald’s to change the policy.

A measure to allow patients direct access to a physical therapist without first receiving a doctor’s approval heads receives final legislative approval:
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Today is the first day people can sign up for Medicaid under the new expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards and other state officials spoke at this hour about what residents can do to find out if they qualify. They estimate this will mean insurance for 375,000 people. For information about how to sign up or find out if you now qualify, log on to healthy.la.gov, or call 1-888-342-6207. Medicaid expansion will cover adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

Governor Edwards signed into law a measure that would ban what advocates call “dismemberment abortions.” Pro-choice advocates say the common second trimester procedure, known as dilation and evacuation, is common and safe. But Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life disagrees…:
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The law goes into effect on August 1.

A bill that would allow patients direct access to a physical therapist rather than getting a doctor’s referral first has received final legislative approval. Dr. Amanda Brewer with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association:
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She says this would be cheaper and allow people to get into PT sooner, which would result in a better quality of life.

A blind man from Metairie has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s alleging the fast food chain discriminates against people who can’t see because of its drive-thru only policy during late-night hours. Scott Magee claims McDonald’s workers laughed at him and turned him away when he walked up to the drive-thru window. The company, who has until mid-June to respond, says they have a policy not to service pedestrians at the drive-thru.

Governor Edwards signs into law a measure that prohibits a common second trimester abortion procedure called dilation and evacuation. Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director, Deanna Wallace, says this ends a brutal practice known as dismemberment abortion…:
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Those who oppose say this law say it creates an unnecessary barrier to women getting safe and legal abortions.

Governor Edwards is at this hour attending an event in New Orleans that marks the official kickoff of Medicaid expansion enrollment. He says Louisiana is simply bringing federal tax dollars home to put them to work for the poor…:

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Plans go into effect July 1st, and you can get more information online at healthy.la.gov.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor’s John Bel Edwards approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up since February. Jeff Palermo has more…:

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The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season begins today. NOAA predicts a near normal season with 12 named storms. GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom says major hurricanes can still hit in near normal seasons so it’s crucial Louisianians get a plan in place…:

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Get says you can GetAGamePlan.org for helpful information.

Today, 375-thousand people in Louisiana can enroll in the state’s newly expanded Medicaid program called Healthy Louisiana. Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee says getting more Louisiana residents insured through Medicaid will lead to a healthier state…
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People can apply for coverage by visiting healthy-dot-la-dot-gov.

Today is the first day of hurricane season. The director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, Jim Waskom, says an added concern is the sediment buildup in rivers from flooding earlier this year. He says this could create additional problems, if we get a big storm…
cut 9 (10) “…emergency officials’

A new poll is out on Governor John Edwards approval rating. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says in February 34-percent of the respondents did not have an opinion on the governor, but now his favorable rating is up to 50-percent, but his disapproval rating is also up…
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Edwards disapproval rating is at 40-percent.

The governor spoke at a conference today in New Orleans that’s looking at ways to preserve Louisiana’s coast. Coalition to Restore Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has already agreed to use the Mississippi River to direct sediment to areas that can help build the wetlands…
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Governor John Bel Edward’s approval and disapproval ratings are both going up. Southern Media and Opinion research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the disapproval rating is up 15 points and that could go up if more taxes are raised in the special session which begins Monday…:
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On the flip side, the poll shows Edwards approval rating at 50%, which is 9 points higher than it was in February.

A St. Amant man will remain in the Ascension Parish jail on new charges of second degree murder after allegedly giving someone a fatal dose of heroin which eventually lead to an overdose death. Officials say 21-year-old Andre Wilson is believed to have injected 20-year-old Abraham Said of Baton Rouge with a syringe of heroin. Witnesses say Said was later found unresponsive in the home, and died later at a hospital of an overdose. Wilson remains in jail on a $300,000 bond.

A three-day conference begins today in New Orleans to talk about Louisiana’s coast, which experts say is disappearing at a rate of 16 square miles a year. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Sources are reporting that former Saints defensive star Will Smith’s blood alcohol content was three times over the legal limit when he was fatally shot in New Orleans on April 9th. However, what that exact blood alcohol level was has not been confirmed, and there has been no statement from officials about the investigation regarding Smith’s B.A.C. level. Cardell Hayes was arrested as a suspect in the fatal shooting.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness urges residents to get a game plan as hurricane season begins today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Governor Edwards is speaking at a news conference this morning to discuss the upcoming hurricane season. Later, he’ll be with DHH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee at an event to kickoff the first day residents can enroll in the newly expanded Medicaid program. The governor says this is an important step for Louisiana…:
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An event to discuss Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts gets underway today in New Orleans. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says The Bayou State is losing 16 square miles a year on its coast, and we need to do everything we can to save it. He says 80% of all oil and gas that comes into the US from offshore comes through Louisiana…:
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Governor Edwards’ busy day begins as he speaks at the conference this morning.

As for the special session called by Edwards, Southern Media and Opinion Research finds in a new poll that GOP lawmakers could be hesitant to raise anymore taxes…:
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Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the same survey found Edwards approval rating at 50%, nine points higher than February. But disapproval rating at 40%, 15 points higher than the last poll.