Louisiana is once again ranked 48th in the America’s Health Rankings Report for women and children. Matt Doyle has more.

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Forty-six percent of LSU Health of New Orleans graduating medical students have chosen to remain in Louisiana to complete their medical training. Kelley Ray tells us the number of grads deciding to stay continues to fall

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The LSU Board of Supervisors approves three merit scholarships to help attract students to the Baton Rouge campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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A report from America’s Health Ranking says the rates of maternal mortality and teen suicide have risen over the last two years in Louisiana. UnitedHealthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Peters says we are one of the worst states when it comes to taking care of expecting mothers.

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The maternal mortality rate increased 28 percent to 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, while the infant mortality was down 11 percent.  Teen suicides were also up seven percent. Peters says mental health is a nationwide issue that Louisiana in particular lags behind on.

Cut 5  (08)  “our state”

Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and West Virginia made up the five lowest ranked states. Peters says they all have something in common, low state healthcare funding.

Cut 6 (11) “state programs.”

The good news is that the uninsured rate for women 18-40 was down 34 percent. Peters attributes this to the Medicaid expansion in 2016.

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46 percent of LSU Health New Orleans graduating medical students participating in the National Resident Match Program this year chose to remain in Louisiana. That is down from 49 percent staying in state last year and 64-percent in 2012. Dr. Steve Nelson says it’s a trend that could cost Louisiana some great doctors…

Cut 7 (11)  “not return.”

National studies find a high number of physicians set up their permanent practices in areas where they complete their residency program. Nelson says a decline of 18 percent in the last five years is a concern and it’s up to the legislature to provide a stable source of funding for higher ed…

Cut 8 (09) “to correct.”

Nelson says the future medical achievements and the new physicians that will fill our hospitals and medical practices come from Louisiana, not elsewhere…

Cut 9 (10)  “at LSU.”

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Louisiana is two million dollars short on its funding for voucher students this year. The money is appropriated every June, and covers the cost of state students to attend charter and private schools, instead of public schools. Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the state is short this year, and if more money isn’t appropriated next year, could be short by an even wider margin.

Cut 10 (08) “land aid.”

Dunn says if the legislature doesn’t come up with another two-million dollars to fill the shortfall for this academic year, schools that are educating voucher students would be on the hook to pay for their educational expenses.

Cut 11 (07) “other expenses”

The state’s voucher program is paid for by a special line-item appropriation in the budget. It currently enrolls 6,600 students statewide. Dunn says it’s possible money that funds public schools may have to be redirected to cover some of the costs of the voucher program for next school year.