Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the taxpayer financed health care coverage after an improved computer system found they no longer meet the income requirements. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says most of those who no longer qualify are low-wage income workers, and may qualify for subsidies through the Affordable Care Act.
Cut 7 (09) “…for it.”
Gee says they usually find about 18,000 individuals every month who no longer qualify for Medicaid, this month the total was 37,000.

The Edwards administration has recommended a 30-million dollar budget plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. It includes pay raises for public school teachers, fully funds TOPS and provides more money for juvenile justice. But funding is uncertain, since House Republican leadership has yet to go along with a recommendation to raise the state’s income forecast.

Governor Edwards and the U-S Army Corps of Engineers has signed an agreement that allows construction to begin on a $760 million flood protection project that would protect an estimated 60,000 people in St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes. This area saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012. Congressman Garret Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….
Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″
The 760-million dollars will pay for 18.5 miles of earthen levees.

A large portion of the state from I-10 to the north is under a slight risk for severe weather today. Northeast Louisiana is under an enhanced risk. Strong winds, hail and tornadoes are possible.