It may take a few years for Louisiana drivers to see lower auto insurance rates as a result of the tort reform legislation approved this summer. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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LSU Health New Orleans is participating in a clinical trial on the use of lab-created monoclonal antibodies in the battle against the coronavirus. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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DeSoto and Red River Parish officials who shared now-debunked claims that the Department of Health was reporting COVID case counts with duplicate numbers are blasted for not showing up to a hearing where they were ordered to explain themselves. Matt Doyle has more.
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Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana head Jeff Albright says it may take a few years for the full impact of tort reform passed in the Legislature to be felt via lower auto insurance rates.
Albright says the law takes effect in 2021…
Cut 4 (10)“ …improvement.”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon predicted that the new tort law would lower rates by up to 25 percent.
Albright says Louisiana drivers make twice as many injury claims as the national average despite not have twice as many wrecks…
Cut 5 (05) “important.”
Louisiana has the 2nd highest rates in the nation and is expected to rise to number one next year. Albright says that is because Michigan, who is 1st, passed tort reform legislation several years ago that is now taking effect.
Albright also says 45 percent of Louisiana drivers carry the minimum limit 15,000 dollars of insurance, which is why the law lowers the jury trial threshold to 10,000 dollars.
Cut 6 (07) “…jury”
The previous threshold was 50,000 dollars.
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LSU Health New Orleans is participating in a clinical trial on the use of lab-created monoclonal antibodies in the battle against the coronavirus. Pulmonary critical care specialist Dr. Bennett deBoisblanc says the hope is that the monoclonal antibody would prevent viral attachment to cells.
Cut 7 (06) “…to reproduce itself.”
The trial is being done with the National Institutes of Health to evaluate the safety and effectiveness as a potential new treatment.
deBoisblanc says instead of waiting on a COVID patient to produce their own antibodies, they hope to administer the lab-grown version to help fight off a worsening condition.
Cut 8 (08) “…a rapid rate.”
Patients hospitalized with mild or moderate COVID-19 with fewer than 13 days of symptoms bay volunteer to participate.
deBoisblanc says if these trials are not fruitful, there are other treatments to help and more research on the horizon.
Cut 9 (08) “…the months ahead.”
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The Louisiana Family Forum backs a request by Senator John Kennedy that Louisiana places of worship be deemed essential and have their capacity restrictions lifted.
President Gene Mills says religious leaders can be trusted to maintain a safe environment for worshipers without current capacity limitations.
Cut 10 (07) “…community”
Churches are restricted to 50 percent capacity during Phase Two.
Mills says lifting the current restrictions would help get more people back in their pre-COVID habit of going to church.
Cut 11 (12) “…away”
Mills says he’d like to see the capacity restriction lifted, but noted Louisiana’s religious haven’t suffered as much as those in some other places…
Cut 12 (10) “faith.”
Mills says a legislative effort to include houses of worship in the essential institutions list is being crafted.
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Legislators slam DeSoto and Red River Parish officials for not showing up to a hearing about claims made by those parishes that the Department of Health was reporting duplicate COVID case counts.
Legislative Audit Advisory Councilmembers blasted the officials for making claims that were later debunked by the Legislative Auditor. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivy…
Cut 13 (13) “…member.”
Both the DeSoto parish Sheriff and the Red River Department of Homeland Security made the claims on Facebook posts.
LDH says there is evidence lists of infected people’s names in those areas had been disseminated as part of the effort to attack the department’s COVID case reporting. Ivey called that a clear HIPPA violation.
Cut 14 (05) “…violation.”
The Legislative Auditor’s report indicates the two parishes’ misinterpreted the data they were being sent, and that the LDH dashboard of COVID case numbers is accurate to within 1-2 percent.
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau called the parishes’ actions unacceptable and says their refusal to attend cannot happen again.
Cut 15 (08) “…security.”
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The Saints have started practicing in pads as the season opener against Tampa Bay is less than three weeks away. New Orleans reported for training camp in late July, but used the last three weeks getting ready for physical contact. Quarterback Drew Brees believes they used the ramp-up time well
Cut 16 (21) “ more film”
Before the season, Brees went to Colorado to work out with newly acquired wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Brees says he likes how Sanders prepares himself for the season
cut 17 (19) “…great skill set”
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan is entering his 10th season in the NFL and is coming off a season in which he tallied a career-high 15.5 sacks. Jordan on how he can be an even better player this season…
Cut 18 (19) “…great place”