US Senator Bill Cassidy is among a bipartisan group of Senators that has filed legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. Cassidy believes the measure is a good fit for insurers and caregivers while also addressing constituents concerns….
cut 9 (05) “….that sweet spot”
The bill would require that a patient is only required to pay the in network cost-sharing amount for an emergency, even if they are treated by an out-of-network facility or an out-of-network provider.

The Department of Children and Family Services has launched a campaign to recruit foster parents for teenagers. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life.
Cut 5 (11) “…fast”
Teens account for about 20-percent of the kids under the state’ care, but fewer than five-percent are placed in non-relative foster homes.

Louisiana lawmakers are moving closer to approving a ban on nearly all abortions in Louisiana. The proposal would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. Governor Edwards says he’ll sign that legislation when it reaches his desk, but he also points out that abortions would automatically be prohibited in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade gets overturned…
cut 11 (07) “….now”
Louisiana’s fetal hearbeat abortion ban is awaiting House approval, before it reaches the governor’s desk.

The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have unified to become a single, statewide affiliate. Executive Director of Komen Louisiana, Angela Miller, says the organization has a hefty goal of cutting in half the number of breast cancer deaths in Louisiana by 2026.
Cut 13 (10) “…to the decision.”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they have a difficult time finding foster homes for teens…
Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent go to Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov.

A proposal to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected is getting close to reaching Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. The pro-life Democrat believes this is a bill that Louisiana voters support…
cut 12 (09) “…any different”
Several pro choice demonstrators were arrested at the capitol earlier this week after they poured fake blood on the floors outside of the House and Senate chambers.

A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The U-S Senate has confirmed Wendy Vitter as a federal judge in Louisiana’s Eastern District which covers 13-parishes in southeast Louisiana. The Senate voted 52-45 to give the wife of former US Senator David Vitter a lifetime job. Democrats voiced concerns about her anti-abortion record.

Governor Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of a bill that almost completely bans abortions. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working its way through the Legislature. During a gathering with reporters, he reiterated his support for that legislation.
Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”

Local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have officially joined together to form a new statewide affiliate called Susan G Komen Louisiana. Executive director Angela Miller says the merger will help the group reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50-percent by 2026…
cut 14 (07) “…our state”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

20 percent of kids in the foster care system are teens, but only 5 percent of homes are requesting teenagers. Matt Doyle talked with the DCFS Secretary about their push to change that.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal that would let cities and parishes establish their own minimum wage. It faced opposition from business lobbyist groups like the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Vice president for governmental relations for LABI says a higher minimum wage above the statewide minimum of $7.25 could lead to layoffs…
cut 6 (07) “…let go”
It appears that once again an effort to raise the minimum wage will not make it through the legislative session.

Motorists are seeing a bit of relief at the pump, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the current the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is 14-cents cheaper than this time last year.
Cut 7 (09) “…$2.48 a gallon.”
Redman says a decline in demand has led to a drop in gasoline prices.

Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The wife of former US Senator David Vitter, Wendy Vitter, has been confirmed for a lifetime seat as a federal judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The US Senate voted in favor of her confirmation.

A proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage fails in a House Committee 9-6. In 1997, Louisiana passed a preemption law overriding local wage requirements in favor of a statewide minimum. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he brought the bill because local voters know better than the state what their workers need to survive…
Cut 3 (09) “…economies.”
But the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposed the measure. LABI vice president of governmental relations Jim Patterson says the proposal would place an undue burden on many businesses.
Cut 4 (07) “…untenable”

Over in the House Ag committee, they did not take up a proposal to prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal.

Educators in Louisiana are celebrating a milestone. The high school graduation rate is the highest ever and the graduation rate for African American students has surpassed the national average. State Education Superintendent John White.
Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”
White also says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012.

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is headed to the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.
Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”
Under the bill, the employee making the delivery would have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served.

The state Senate has approved a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers, plus 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools. The House has already said they support a 12-hundred dollar pay hike for teachers, but they do not support giving public schools additional dollars. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if you don’t increase funding for public schools teachers, then teachers will have to use more of their own money to pay for school supplies…
cut (09) “…to the classroom”
This dispute over education funding will likely not be settled until the final days of the legislative session, which ends June 6th.

A woman was fatally shot in the face early this morning in the nine-hundred block of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police have arrested 33-year-old Alexander Kirby in connection with the killing. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.

A House approved proposal to allow grocery and liquor stores to delver factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is nearing final legislative passage. Lobbyist Alton Ashy the person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ACT to very recipient’s age. Ashy that’s just one of many safe guards the legislation has…
cut 11 (09) “…all times”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The House Ag Committee was expected to hear a bill at this hour that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registry, similar to the state’s sex offender registry….
cut 4 (10) “….convicted animal abusers”
The author of the proposal is Amite Representative Robby Carter.