[StBernard] BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for May 15, 2007

[Westley Annis]

BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for May 15, 2007
Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to strengthen Louisiana's future


BATON ROUGE - The following bills in Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's legislative package advanced in the legislature today: 

Senate Bill 238 - Establishment of Health Care Redesign Fund in state treasury 

*	Sponsored by Senator Joe McPherson, Vice Chairman, Senate Finance Committee. 
*	This fund will facilitate a safe, patient-centered, high quality redesigned health care system for Medicaid recipients and low-income uninsured patients. Specifically the $198 million fund will provide for a "medical home" system of care in New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana, expands health insurance for children, increases behavioral health services (substance abuse and mental health treatment) and provides funding for health care workforce recruitment and retention.
*	Approved by the Senate, heads next to the House of Representatives for committee referral. 

Senate Bill 204 - Statewide deductible ranges 

*	Sponsored by Senator Donald R. Cravins, Jr. 
*	This bill allows insurance companies to set deductibles based on the location of property rather than applying the same deductible across the state. 
*	Approved by the Senate, heads next to the House of Representatives for committee referral. 

Senate Bill 205 - Abolishing insurance rating commission 

*	Sponsored by Senator Donald R. Cravins, Jr. 
*	This bill creates a consumer bill of rights and an office of consumer advocacy in the Department of Insurance. 
*	Approved by the Senate, heads next to the House of Representatives for committee referral. 

Senate Concurrent Resolutions 11 and 12 - CPRA Comprehensive Master Plan for Coastal Protection 

*	Sponsored by Senator Reggie Dupre. 
*	SCR 11 approves the annual Coastal Protection Plan for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 to protect, conserve and restore Louisiana's coastal areas through the construction and management of hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects and programs. 
*	SCR 12 approves the Comprehensive Master Plan for Coastal Protection adopted by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The master plan addresses both short-term and long-term coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts. 
*	Approved by the Senate, head next to the House of Representatives for committee referral. 

House Bill 774 -Supplemental Appropriations

*	Sponsored by Representative John A. Alario, Jr., Chairman, Appropriations Committee. 
*	A supplemental appropriation bill for fiscal year 2006-2007 to address funding shortages for local housing of adult state inmates and juvenile offenders. 
*	Approved by the House Appropriations Committee, heads next to the full House for further consideration. 

House Bill 678 - Establish the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program

*	Sponsored by Representative Karen R. Carter, Chairman, Insurance Committee. 
*	This bill allows the state to match a company's capital investment dollar for dollar to encourage more companies to write policies in Louisiana. 
*	Approved by the House Appropriations Committee, heads next to the full House for further consideration. 

Click here for more on the legislative session. <http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&navID=50&cpID=169&cfmID=0&catID=0> 

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