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…:
CUT 4 (07) “more convenient”
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:
CUT 7 (09) “country have”
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.