With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________
The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”
______________________________________
COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says since March 2020 no one was removed from the program because of the pandemic but annual reviews can resume.
Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.
The state estimates as many as 350,000 could lose Medicaid coverage. LeBlanc says they will begin mailing pink letters and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible.
Cut 4 (10) “…contact information.”
LeBlanc says the bulk of those who will be removed is because they make too much money or they fail to respond to letters. She says it’s vital for participants to reply to letters and update their contact information.
Cut 5 (06) “…healthcare coverage.”
The review process begins in April and remains ongoing for the next 12 months.
_______________________________________________
Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement
Graves says his meeting on Sunday with Landry lasted about 90 minutes. The Congressman has been looking a run for governor for weeks, but he’s closing in on a final decision…
______________________________________________
Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor. The Republican from Ascension Parish says he will only get into the race if U-S Representative Garret Graves decides not to run…
Graves says he’s receiving encouragement to run and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that expects to make a decision within the next ten days or so. Schexnayder says he’s also hearing from supporters who would like him to run…
The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.
Schexnayder is term-limited in the House and has served as Speaker of the House since 2020. The 54-year-old from Gonzales was also rumored to be a candidate for Lt. Governor, before incumbent Billy Nungesser, decided to run for re-election
__________________________________________________________
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked and she reacted.
Krewe of Tucks parade floats have often been politically satirical over the years. Cantrell says she saw this one as an attack, and reacted defensively…
Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism over the past few months, for lavish travel spending, an alleged affair with a cop assigned to protect her and more. she is under a threatened recall, and petition signatures are being verified right now. Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets…
The outcome of the petition to recall Cantrell is still unknown.