9:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is set to greatly increase the availability of mental health providers by expanding Medicaid reimbursement eligibility to provisionally licensed mental health professionals. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Behavioral Health Robyn McDermott says under the new plan, provisionally licensed professionals can help the 74% of people in Louisiana who have not yet had their mental health needs met.

Cut 8 (08) “…services.” 
Nationally, one in three people live in an area that doesn’t have any mental health providers. McDermott thinks this plan could help change that in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12)  “…otherwise have.”

Publication of the final rule is expected by July 20th. If approved, the plan is expected to begin August 1st.

———————

Citizens Insurance policyholders may see some relief from high premiums as lawmakers are working on a bill that would suspend the 10% surcharge for coastal residents and reduce the surcharge for the rest of the state. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says based on conversations with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, a temporary surcharge reduction is doable.

Cut 5 (13) “…pull the trigger.” 
Entergy Louisiana is set to make the largest renewable power expansion in state history…that’s after the Louisiana Public Service Commission gave the thumbs up to add up to three gigawatts of economic solar power to its generational portfolio. Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning and Market Operations Laura Beauchamp says the increased economic solar power says a lot to companies looking to relocate

Cut 11 (12) “…(x3) renewable power.”