Dramatic testimony in Senate Finance today as disability advocates spoke out against a proposed budget that would slash healthcare services. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
______________________________________________
Calorie counts are now on display at all businesses with over 20 locations that sell food. Don Molino has the story.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Don Molino”
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony today from disability advocates who are raising the alarm over the House passed budget that would place deep cuts in healthcare starting July 1st, including the slashing of programs for the disabled. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFluer says the cuts would eliminate services for over 45 thousand developmentally disabled patients.
Cut 3 (11) “81 percent”
ARC of Ouachita representative Tina Holly says without these services, her family and friends would be broken up, and forced to move into nursing homes, if any would be available after the cuts kick in.
Cut 4 (10) “programs going”
Emotional testimony was presented on behalf of the disabled, this man said it was a life or death situation.
Cut 5 (08) “I survive”
Amy Duplechain of Lafayette receives assistance from the Long Term Care Special Income Level program, which allows people who earn under 2,250 dollars a month to get access to some Medicaid services. She says the cuts would force her into an impossible decision.
Cut 6 (13) “lose services”
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to approve a budget later this week, but approving additional funding will have to wait until a special session.
_____________________________________________
A two vehicle crash near Sorrento on Interstate 10 killed two children last night. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says the driver of the vehicle who struck the victim’s car ,47-year-old Stephen Daigle of Gonzales, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide, negligent injuring and reckless operations
Cut 7 (10) “Philson’s vehicle”
Lee says the victims were identified as one-month-old Arielle Philson and an eight-year-old Willie Williams Jr., both from Houston. All passengers involved in the crash were not restrained. Lee says proper restraints save lives…
cut 8 (09) “too often”
It is not known whether impairment was a factor in the fatal crash. State Police took toxicology samples from both drivers and additional charges are pending upon analysis…
.Cut 9 (08) “upgraded”
The investigation is ongoing.
________________________________________________
Louisiana is now on a six year run of record breaking tourism numbers as the state saw 500,000 more visitors in 2017 than it saw in 2016, for a total of 46.7 million visitors. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says a lot of these great results come down to a big push to bring in more folks from outside the U-S…
Cut 10 (09) “more money”
Tourism also brought in 1.8 billion dollars in local and state tax revenue in 2017, a 4.5 percent increase over 2016.
Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans now offers direct flights into London and Germany. Nungesser says that’s played a huge role in bringing in more international guests.
Cut 11 (10) “the state”
Nungesser says as part of the push to get more foreign visitors, they’ll be taking a trip to the East.
Cut 12 (09) “and clyde”
_____________________________________
Starting today business with over 20 locations that sell food, including groceries and movie theaters, must display calorie counts. The requirement is a part of “Obamacare” that is aimed at fighting obesity. Assistant Professor at the LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Center Dr. Henry Nuss says you could be in store for some big surprises about your favorite “healthy” foods.
Cut 13 (09) “healthy option”
Along with calorie counts, business will be required to provide detailed nutritional information about their food products as well, such as the amount of fats, carbs, and protein in each item. Nuss says that’s a big help for people on strict diets.
Cut 14 (11) “follow”
Many fast food chains began displaying caloric information years ago, but Nuss says the jury is still out on whether or not it has much of an impact on dietary patterns.
Cut 15 (12) “choices”