Louisiana governor orders Medicaid expansion by July 1

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards yesterday issued an executive order to expand Medicaid to uninsured low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act beginning July 1. The expansion is expected to cover more than 350,000 residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $16,242 a year. “We are working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and our partners here in Louisiana to ensure this implementation is done correctly,” said Rebekah Gee, M.D., secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals. Paul Salles, president and CEO of the Louisiana Hospital Association, said many Louisiana hospitals have agreed to provide support for additional DHH enrollment staff, who will be placed on-site in health care facilities to reach uninsured patients. “We applaud the governor for his action today and look forward to working with state leaders on improving and making health care a priority in Louisiana,” Salles said.