LRN AM Newscall July 26

US Senator John Kennedy proposed an amendment to the healthcare bill that would require people to work in order to receive Medicaid. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

The West Nile virus is ramping up in Louisiana as seven cases of the illness have been reported to the Office of Public Health. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

The Public Service Commission votes to approve Entergy’s plan to install new meters at every Louisiana customer’s residence. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy proposes a new federal health care law should require abled bodied adults without children to work in order to receive Medicaid. That’s one of several amendments Kennedy filed as the debate continues over an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He says he doesn’t want to take Medicaid away from those who need it. He just wants fewer people to need it.

Cut 4  (07) “a job”

Kennedy says the current Senate Health Care bill imposes a 20 hour a week work requirement for abled bodied adults without dependents. But it leaves it up to each governor’s discretion. Kennedy wants to remove the option for the governors.

Cut 5  (10)  “for Medicaid”

The amendment does exempt people under age 19, those in addiction treatment programs, and young adults in school or work training programs. Kennedy says he wants everyone to know the dignity of work, which is why he’s pushing for this nationwide requirement. He says this is about helping people transition off of welfare programs.

Cut 6 (10) “get a job”

________________________________________________________

West Nile activity is picking up in Louisiana as the state Office of Public Health says seven individuals have been diagnosed with the mosquito borne disease this month. Three cases have been reported in the Baton Rouge area and the others are in in Bossier, Ouachita, Rapides and Morehouse. OPH Assistant Secretary Dr. Parham Jaberi says each year we’re seeing a decrease in cases from the year before…

Cut 7 (10)  “can become”

Two deaths were reported from the West Nile Virus in 2016 and none have been reported this year. Jaberi says mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, which Louisiana has seen a lot of after recent rainfall.

Cut 8 (11) “mosquito”

Jaberi says 90-percent of West Nile cases are asymptomatic. But he says a very small percentage of individuals who contract the virus will develop the neuroinvasive disease.

Cut 9 (10)  “status”

________________________________________________________

A vote from the Public Service Commission means Entergy Louisiana customers will have upgraded meters at their homes by 2021. Entergy spokesperson Greg Guilbeau says customers will be notified when crews will change their meters, but they should not see a noticeable disruption in service.

Cut 10 (09) “the new meter”

Guilbeau says upgrading to these advanced meters will provide numerous benefits. He says customers will get more detailed information on energy use, so they can take control of their energy consumption.

Cut 11 (12) “run it today”

Guilbeau says Entergy will start installing the new meters in 2019. He says this new technology will also help with outage detection. He says the new system will allow the company to know right away if a customer loses power.

Cut 12 (10) “back on”

_________________________________________________

Can the Saints return to the playoffs this year? For the last three years, the Black and Gold have finished with a record of 7-and-9. Coach Sean Payton says he likes the additions they’ve made on defense and they are deep in the secondary, which should help out their offense….

Cut 13 (12) “equally as important”

Payton says there’s a lot of work ahead for this team, because they play in a tough division and the beginning of the schedule is difficult. He looks forward to progress they’ll make during training camp….

Cut 14 (09) “especially early”

Payton says some of the toughest position battles will take place along the defensive line….

Cut 15 (20) “battles shape up”

____________________________________________________