20 percent of kids in the foster 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”
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A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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A merger between the state’s affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization result in one statewide affiliate. What does that mean for the fight against the disease? Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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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 teens can be some of the hardest foster system kids to find good homes for. Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”
The drive is focused on finding foster homes for kids in the communities they were raised in so, that they don’t have to leave their schools, friends, and other local connections when they enter the system. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life. Cut 5 (11) “…fast”
Walters says having foster parents who are invested in helping teens make and maintain connections in their community, even after they age out, is vital to ensure they go on to lead fruitful and fulfilling lives… Cut 6 (10) “…to.”
The Secretary says if you’re interested in getting more information about fostering, visit Louisianafosters.la.gov
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US Senator Bill Cassidy is working with a bipartisan collection of Senators to combat surprise medical billing with the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act. Cassidy says a care provider would be paid the cost difference between a patients in-network cost sharing and the median or average cost for the in-network rate for their services. Cut 7 (08) “…is held harmless.
” Scenarios in which patient balance billing occurs would be prohibited include emergency services and non-emergency services performed by an out of network provider at an in-network facility. Cassidy says the legislation comes down to one principal. Cut 8 (09) “…into a practice.”
The Act would also prohibit surprise billing non-emergency services following an emergency service at an out or network facility due to a patient not being able to be moved from the out of network facility. Cassidy says he believes the legislation is finding a good fit for insurers and caregivers while addressing the concerns of legislators. Cut 9 (11) “…that sweet spot.
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Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of bill that almost completely bans abortion procedures. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working it’s way through the Legislature. Edwards, the deep south’s only Democrat, reiterated his support for anti-abortion legislation. Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”
Opponents argue the heartbeat bill is tantamount to a near ban itself.
The Alabama law was designed by it’s author to provoke a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade. Edwards pointed out that Roe were ever to be overturned, Louisiana would immediately be off-limits to the procedure. Cut 11 (07) “…now”
The Alabama ban does not include exemptions for rape or incest and comes with an up to 99-year prison sentence for doctors who perform the procedure. The Governor says he’s confident that most Louisianans have his, and the Legislature’s back when it comes to the increasing number of laws being passed in the Bayou State that would, if approved by the courts, place significant restrictions on the procedure. Cut 12 (09) “…any different”
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The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have now 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.”
Miller says the merger creates efficiencies in helping fight breast cancer as they work to try to meet their aggressive target for 2026. Cut 14 (07) “…in our state.”
Miller says the funds that are raised in Louisiana end up staying in Louisiana with 75% of the funding going toward the cost incurred in helping with women’s health. Cut 15 (10) “also very very important.”
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Cut 16 (20) “…right around the corner”
cut 17 (14) “to be”