A Better Plan for Group Benefits
The state Office of Group Benefits could use a dose of financial stability, accountability and transparency. The recent controversies over the office reveal the need for a long-term fix.
Resource Category: Open Meetings & Public Records
PAR Says More Time and Planning Needed for Successful Health Care Transition
As early as 2007, PAR has called for fundamental reform of Louisiana’s public health care system that would include coverage for as many low-income uninsured as possible, providing the insured access to nearby medical care and a replacement safety net for the remaining uninsured comprised of locally-operated primary care clinics, specialty care, doctors and hospitals.
PAR Says Maintain Support and Independence of the Office of Inspector General
(PDF Version) Gov. Bobby Jindal made the right move soon after taking office in 2008 when he strengthened the powers of the Office of Inspector General, gave it greater independence, increased its focus on investigations as opposed to audits and helped provide reliable financial support. Highly qualified leadership took charge to restructure the agency and produced […]
Public Deserves More Transparency for Governor’s Records
The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill that would reduce the statutory protections that keep many of the governor’s records forever out of public view. Following events in which lawmakers initially were rebuffed in seeking public information about administration policy initiatives and major contracts, the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Senate Bill 57 by […]
Session Wrap-up: Modest Gains but Important Trends Mark 2011 Session
The 2011 regular legislative session ended harmoniously with a $25 billion budget compromise despite the pressures of a steep revenue shortfall, sharp disagreements between the governor and lawmakers, sore feeling left over from the redistricting session and looming elections this fall.
PAR Recommends Rethinking the Coordinated Care Networks Initiative
(PDF Version) The Louisiana House of Representatives made two important accomplishments last week when it partially cut funding for a privatized Medicaid program proposed by the state health agency. The House’s amendment to the appropriations bill would save scarce dollars in next year’s state budget and slow the implementation of the administration’s proposed Coordinated Care Networks […]
Develop Health Plans in the Open, PAR Says
Click here to download a copy of PAR’s On the Health Record newsletter. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has proposed a revamp of the way Medicaid services are delivered in Louisiana. This latest proposal has been met with stiff resistance from a wide variety of stakeholder groups concerned that dollars currently dedicated […]