New laws signed by the governor aim to make cutting edge cancer detection and new treatments more readily available…and covered by your insurance. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards is off to Europe today to swap flood control challenges with the Netherlands. Marsanne Golsby has more:
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As residents continue to experience high utility bills, the Public Service Commission says they are trying to help. Brooke Thorington explains.
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The governor hosted a ceremonial bill signing Thursday at the Capitol, to herald in a package of new bills providing for improved, cutting-edge cancer care. Among those in attendance, former state representative and cancer survivor Julie Stokes. She says one bill will expand access to so-called precision medicine, by requiring health care insurers to cover it. Stokes says precision medicine is a more focused method than chemotherapy…:
Cut 4 (08) “…of chemotherapy.”
Stokes is the founder of SCAN, the Survivors Cancer Action Network. She says the precision medicine bill couples with another bill establishing enhanced “biomarker” testing, to detect possible genetic causes of cancers and possible mutations…:
Another bill in the package provides for health insurers to cover biomarker testing for babies in natal intensive care, to help them get out of a NICU faster and live normal lives. The final bill paves the way for patients to have easier access to their own medical records, so they can navigate cancer treatments with fewer problems. Stokes says the bills, and precision medicine treatments, are a major step in health care for Louisianans…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards is off to Europe today to swap flood control challenges with the Netherlands.
Cut 7 (07) “….water levels increase.”
The governor says Louisiana’s experience in dealing with rising waters caused by climate change is valuable to European governments facing the same challenges.
Cut 8 (10) “…and water management.”
The governor adds that innovations to fight climate change actually bring with them economic development opportunities involving new environmentally-friendly projects.
Cut 9 (06) “…and the transition.”
The governor will also travel to France to raise awareness about a 400-million dollar capital campaign for the National World War Two Museum. Edwards says he’ll also use the trip to advance Louisiana’s economic interests with major international companies and discuss the energy industry’s transition. The delegation is scheduled to return on Sunday, August 14th.
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High utility bills continue to plague residents and PSC Commissioner Craig Greene says they are looking at ways to help lower rates. He says the commission wants utility providers to become customer service-focused, more energy efficient, and look at long-term resiliency.
He says you can ask your local PSC office to review your bill for possible errors.
Greene says even though companies like Entergy spent $4.5 billion to restore power after the hurricanes, they have to be reimbursed for that cost which falls on the ratepayer. Greene says he’s often asked if the company is going to send their shareholders a billion dollars why can’t they chip in on repairs?
Cut 11 (09) “…taking the risk.”
The price of natural gas is at record high levels and Greene says the current structure does not incentivize utility providers to lock in prices early and pass those savings along to the ratepayer.
Greene says they are also lobbying the federal government to pay for restoration costs instead of the consumer.
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Monkeypox has been declared a health emergency in the US, and LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine is hosting an event today to give healthcare professionals the most up-to-date information. Infectious Disease Professor Dr. Michael Hangensee (Hagen-see) says they’ll look at the recent spread of the virus…
Cut 13 (07) “…prevent infection.”
Hagensee says treatment includes the medicine T-pox, which can be given by pill or intravenously for severe cases…
Cut 14 (08) “…New Orleans area.”
Monkeypox is currently spread mostly among homosexual men and Hagansee says healthcare officials in the state are trying to prevent an outbreak during Decadence Labor Day Weekend, but that being said…
As of Thursday, the state reported 69 cases in the state, an increase of 11 from Wednesday.
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Preseason camp is underway for the LSU Tigers as the Bayou Bengals are 30 days away from the season opener against Florida State in the Superdome. That’s when the Brian Kelly era will officially kick off. The first-year coach is still getting to know his team including his star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who he watched practice for the first time yesterday
Kelly announced after the team’s first practice that running back Tre Bradford is no longer at LSU. Bradford appeared in one game after transferring from Oklahoma. But LSU still has a lot of options at running back led by John Emery Junior, Penn State transfer Noah Cain and Josh Williams who scored two touchdowns in the spring game. Kelly says they’ll also get a chance to carry the rock…
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Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu says he’s appreciative of the support he’s received from the organization after missing the first six practices of training camp. Mathieu returned on Wednesday and is not saying why he was away…
Mathieu is expected to start at safety. Cornerback Bradley Roby is also expected to make a significant impact this season. He was acquired just four days before the season opener last year and Coach Dennis Allen says Roby looks more comfortable this year
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The Ragin Cajun begin this season once again the team to beat in the Sun Belt West. They’ve won the division four years in a row. First-year head coach Michael Desormeaux says in years past the Cajuns started clicking offensively in October, he would like to see the offense reach midseason form earlier…