According to a report in USA Today, a recent study showed Louisiana with the fewest 5 star rated nursing homes in the country. Nearly 39% of Louisiana’s nursing homes ranked 1 star compared to a national average of 23%.
Due to loss revenues from the economic downturn, the state has $1.3 billion dollars less to start the new fiscal year that begins July 1st. As a consequence, Governor Jindal is proposing a budget cut to the Department of Health and Hospitals from $8.17 billion dollars to $7.76 billion dollars.
These cuts will greatly affect the state’s elderly, poor and uninsured citizens. These individuals rely heavily on the state’s Medicaid health insurance program, which will take the biggest cuts.
At a time when the state needs to beef up its health care system, Louisiana lawmakers do what they normally do – make cuts that effect it’s most vulnerable citizens.
Wake up, Louisiana! Look at our health care and educational ratings. If we really want a place to live with a decent quality of life, then we must have basic services such as health care and a decent school system! It’s time to look at other areas to tighten the belt and leave health care and education alone.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
