Adam Knapp
February 8, 2018
Louisiana’s Medicaid program has become a scapegoat for fiscal conservatives, who falsely blame the federal-state health care program for the state’s structural budget shortfall. In reality, state spending per enrollee is relatively low compared to other states and the Medicaid expansion is saving state general fund dollars.
Number of the Day
23.49- Percentage drop in Louisiana’s total enrollment in individual marketplace plans between 2017 to 2018, the largest drop of any state. (Source: National Academy for State Health Policy)August 16, 2017
Stymied in his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Donald Trump has threatened repeatedly to withhold the federal subsidy payments to health insurers that reduce the cost of copayments and deductibles that keep coverage affordable for people with low incomes.
Number of the Day
4 - Number of poor families with children receiving TANF cash assistance out of every 100 poor families with children in Louisiana - the lowest percentage in the nation. (Source: The Urban Institute)April 5, 2017
The efforts to raise the state gas tax to finance transportation projects got a political boost on Tuesday when a broad coalition of business groups said Louisiana needs to raise an additional $500 million per year.