[StBernard] BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for Monday, June 5, 2007; Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda

[Westley Annis]

BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for Tuesday, June 5, 2007;Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to Strengthen Louisiana's Future

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement after the Senate approved the plan for a university teaching and research hospital by passing Senate Concurrent Resolution 76.

"I am pleased the Senate passed this measure that will enable the state to construct a self-supporting teaching and research hospital in the New Orleans region." Governor Blanco said. "We have the unique opportunity to partner with the VA on a joint facility if we move quickly to approve this business plan."

In addition to SCR 76, the following bills in the Governor's legislative package advanced in the legislature today, including key components of the Blanco-Donelon insurance package designed to address the affordability and availability of property insurance in Louisiana:

Senate Concurrent Resolution 76 - Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans

*	Sponsored by Senate President Don Hines
*	This bill approves the plan for a university teaching and research hospital in New Orleans
*	Approved by the Senate, heads next to the House of Representatives

Senate Bill 153 - Depopulation of Citizens Insurance by Competitive Bid

*	Sponsored by Senator Reggie Dupre 
*	This bill requires Citizens Insurance Corporation to bundle their policies for removal to the private market and reduces the state's risk exposure 
*	Approved by the House Insurance Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives for further consideration

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 House Insurance committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives for further consideration 

Senate Bill 205 -Consumer Bill of Rights 

*	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 House Insurance Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives for further consideration

Senate Bill 46 - Establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council

*	Sponsored by Senator Gerald Theunissen
*	This bill creates the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council to examine and facilitate communication between youth and the legislature regarding issues important to youth
*	Approved by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives for further consideration

Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 - Creates the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum

*	Sponsored by Senator Joe McPherson, Chairman, Senate Health and Welfare Committee
*	This resolution requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to establish the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum for the purpose of planning, promoting and conducting quality improvement initiatives within the state through a public-private partnership of health care organizations and institutions
*	Approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives for further consideration

Senate Bill 1 - Health Care Reform Act of 2007

*	Sponsored by Senator Joe McPherson
*	This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Hospitals to develop and implement a redesigned health care delivery system for Medicaid recipients and low-income uninsured citizens
*	Approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives 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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