Louisiana Budget Project

The 2013 Legislature: A session of missed opportunities

webmaster — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:01:54 +0000

The 2013 state Legislative session is likely to be remembered more for what didn’t happen than for what did. Tax reform died in the first week of session, Legislators denied health coverage to 400,000 low-income Louisianans and a hard-fought budget compromise failed to address the state’s structural deficit.… Read more...

Statement by Louisiana Budget Project on 2013 Legislature

webmaster — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:59:28 +0000

Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller released the following statement about the end of the 2013 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature:

“It’s good news that the Legislature found money at the last minute for students in our public schools and their teachers, who have worked far too long without a raise.… Read more...

Medicaid Amendments Provide Needed Cash, but Would Compromise Future Budgets

webmaster — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:18:59 +0000

A new analysis from the Louisiana Budget Project shows that while House Bills 532 and 533 would bring new federal dollars in to the state’s healthcare budget, other provisions would ultimately bind lawmakers in a way that could compromise Louisiana’s ability to fund basic services in the future.… Read more...

Disappointing vote on HB 233 does not end the fight for health coverage expansion

webmaster — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:25:41 +0000

The effort to extend health coverage to low-income Louisianans does not end with today’s disappointing vote in the House, or yesterday’s setback in the Senate. The Legislature’s decision doesn’t change the fact that too many of our hard-working fellow citizens do not have access to basic health security.… Read more...

Private insurance option is a win for patients and providers

webmaster — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:14:05 +0000

A bipartisan plan is coming together in the Louisiana Legislature that urges the Jindal administration to extend health coverage to low-income adults in an innovative way by creating the Louisiana Health Care Independence Program. This new private insurance option — the “Louisiana plan” — would be a major step toward improving and strengthening health care in Louisiana, for several reasons:

The new option is a “Louisiana Plan” that encourages innovation, not a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Louisiana colleges at lowest funding level since 1950s

webmaster — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:37:37 +0000

Higher Education Commissioner Jim Purcell testified in the Senate Finance Committee this morning, and the news was bleak. We knew that state support for higher education had been cut severely in recent years – at least $625 million since 2008 – but we weren’t aware that it was at its lowest level since the 1950s.… Read more...

Recent evidence continues to support expanding health coverage

webmaster — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:19:56 +0000

A new plan is emerging in the Louisiana Legislature to extend health coverage using federal Medicaid revenue available as part of the health care reform law. Instead of simply expanding the current Medicaid program, the state would use Medicaid dollars to help uninsured adults buy private coverage.… Read more...

Medicaid coverage is good for Louisiana

webmaster — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:57:40 +0000

Louisiana legislators have an unprecedented opportunity to boost public health, improve the state’s business climate and save money in the state budget when they take up bills to expand Medicaid coverage this week.

The opportunity to extend coverage to low-income adults using mostly federal dollars means up to 400,000 Louisianans would have access to preventive care and would no longer be one illness or injury away from bankruptcy.… Read more...

Tax Exemption Safeguards Would Prevent Future Waste and Misuse

webmaster — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:38:29 +0000

New safeguards are needed to curb the growth of costly tax exemptions, rebates, credits and other loopholes that detract from the state’s ability to fund basic services. The Legislature should ensure that these tax breaks fulfill their original promise by requiring periodic reviews to evaluate the state’s return-on-investment, and by making it easier to eliminate breaks that don’t measure up.… Read more...

Medicaid Expansion Will Benefit Louisiana’s Businesses and the Economy

webmaster — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:02:20 +0000

Expanding Medicaid in Louisiana will improve health outcomes for families and reduce mortality rates. It will also provide significant benefits to Louisiana’s businesses and the economy by fostering a stronger workforce, strengthening the insurance market and creating new jobs.

Louisiana businesses will gain from a healthier and more productive workforce.