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Abby Trahan arrived on the Southern Miss campus recently and is sporting her new Golden Eagles’ colors.
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Louisiana now covers one-third of the state (approximately 1.6 million people) under its $8 billion Medicaid program, and has seen its share of the cost increase from $1.7 billion in 2008 to $3.3 billion today. More alarming, new federal projections indicate Louisiana’s share of Medicaid cost will increase to over $6 billion by 2026. Medicaid is definitely the elephant in the back of the room. One would think reducing Medicaid spending would be a top priority. Unfortunately, the Governor, Senate Democrats and apparently even Senate President John Alario think otherwise.
Consider the following facts:
· The federal government breaks down Medicaid fraud into “Provider” and “Recipient” fraud, and will only reimburse states for their efforts to control provider fraud. Federal regulations seem to protect Medicaid recipients (a large voting block).
· At the October 25th Task Force on Coordination of Medicaid Fraud Detection & Prevention Initiatives meeting it was discussed how the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has inferior computer systems that “puts them behind the eight ball” in addressing recipient eligibility fraud – how in 2016 LDH only made 18 eligibility referrals to sheriffs -- how the State Legislative Auditor (Auditor) has found where approximately 208,000 applicants under Medicaid expansion are possibly not eligible ($1 billion of Medicaid payments may be in error) – how LDH does not appear to be on the same team as the Louisiana Attorney General (AG) and Auditor in fighting Medicaid fraud.
· Our AG, Auditor, Representatives Sherman Mack (R-Albany) and Tony Bacala (R-Prairieville) have collaborated on legislation that would (1) define Medicaid fraud to include recipient fraud (HB 88), (2) allow our AG to create a Medicaid Recipient Fraud Unit that would qualify for 50% reimbursement by the federal government (HB 163), and (3) allow tax data to be shared by the AG, Auditor and LDH in their Medicaid fraud efforts (HB 480).
· The Governor signed into law HB 88 – so everyone agrees Medicaid Recipient Fraud is illegal.
· The House passed both HB 163 and HB 480 to give the AG, Auditor and LDH the weapons to attack Medicaid Recipient fraud. However, Senate President John Alario gave them a death sentence as he sent both bills to Senate Committees (Judiciary B and Revenue & Fiscal Affairs) controlled by Democrats, and where they did in fact die.
· Senator J.P. Morrell (D, New Orleans) then offered a “Compromise bill” (SB 119) that allowed tax data to be used only by LDH in verifying Medicaid eligibility – and denying access to the tax data by the Auditor and AG (the only two agencies that are chomping at the bit to attack Medicaid recipient fraud). Remember, LDH is the agency that even the Governor’s Executive Counsel said “does not appear to be on the same team” when it comes to fighting Medicaid fraud.
· Representative Lance Harris (R-Alexandria) recently sent a letter to the Governor requesting that Medicaid fraud legislation be considered in addition to tax revenue legislation in the upcoming 3rd Special Session on June 18th – and therefore combine spending reduction legislation with tax increases. The Governor denied the request.
In summary, Medicaid fraud is a crime and may be costing over $1 billion in fraudulent payments (Louisiana’s share would be $400 million). Senate Democrats and the Governor acknowledge that Medicaid fraud is illegal, and say they are concerned - yet their actions indicate otherwise. Is it possible they are more concerned about getting re-elected than they are about the fiscal well-being of Louisiana?
Steve Gardes
Lafayette
Jim Brown
Can you put lipstick on a pig? Well, business leaders are certainly giving it their best shot in an effort to counteract the fact that Louisiana’s outrageously expensive insurance rates make the Bayou State an environment hostile to the attraction of new businesses. But, last week, compounding the problem, new figures showed automobile rates continue to rise, along with insurance rates for every homeowner. And unfortunately, both legislators and insurance regulators are assuming a blasé attitude — “that’s just the price you have to pay for living in Louisiana.”
Newspaper headlines blared out across the country about the skyrocketing insurance costs of driving an automobile in Louisiana. USA Today: “Louisiana Car Insurance Costs Most – the state can’t catch a break.” The San Francisco Chronicle: “Louisiana Tops State Rankings of Car Insurance Rates.” National Auto Week: “Drivers in Louisiana are hit hardest on Car Insurance Premiums.” New York Daily News: “Louisiana has the nation’s most expensive car insurance.” Similar headlines appeared in newspapers coast to coast.
Just how bad are the Louisiana rates? Compared to surrounding states they’re stunning. The Bayou State far outpaces its neighbors to win the dubious distinction of having the highest car insurance rates in the nation. Annual premiums in New Orleans average more than $4,000 per year with Baton Rouge a little cheaper at an average of more than $3,300 per year.
Texas weighs in at $1,545, making it over $1000 cheaper to insure in Texas than in Louisiana. To the east, Mississippi, a state that fares worse than Louisiana on most lists, car insurance averages a paltry $1,345. Should it really cost $1,354 more for auto insurance in Louisiana than in Mississippi? To the north, Arkansas comes in at $1,545, which is $1,154 less than insuring in Louisiana. In every other state in America, the charge of insuring a vehicle is not just less, but a lot less, with the cost being 46 percent higher than the national average.
Thousands of Louisianans have a camp or beach property in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida where legal residence is claimed in order to obtain a much cheaper rate. Take note of some of your fellow employees or neighbors who drive around your city with out of state license plates. Even at the state capitol, some of the top assistants to statewide officials drive cars registered in other states.
Why are Louisiana costs so high and so out of line with the rest of the nation? Lawsuit abuse — “It’s those damn lawyers,” shout the insurance companies. But a check of the laws shows that both Mississippi and Texas allow for punitive damages that dramatically increase jury verdicts, where Louisiana does not allow such damages. Doctors in Louisiana only have to buy the first $100,000 of malpractice coverage, with a state fund picking up the excess. The problems go way beyond “those damn lawyers.”
Louisiana brags about its wonderful differences and the special charm of living in the deepest of the deep southern states. And rightfully so, when it comes to the culture, music, food, architecture, plantation homes, football and ambience. But the lousy roads, drunk driving, uninsured drivers, and poorly trained drivers are part of Louisiana’s differences as well, and they aren’t so wonderful.
Then there is regulation, or the lack thereof in Louisiana. In most states, there is a pre approval system that requires insurance companies to submit a rate increase request to the Department of Insurance. Yes, there is a submissions process in Louisiana. But the insurance company can go right ahead and raise their rates before regulator review. This makes as much sense as closing the gate after the horse is already out of the barn.
If you add up the much higher charges incurred by Louisiana insurance purchasers as compared to surrounding states, the local folks are stuck paying out well over $1.5 billion a year more. That’s $1.5 billion that has been taken away from the local economy.
It’s $1.5 billion that Louisiana families could be using to educate their kids, and improve their quality of life. It’san injustice to Louisiana taxpayers that elected officials seem unwilling to address. And all Louisiana families are the losers.
*******
“It’s not hurricanes that are causing high insurance rates, but bad government policy.”
Policy analyst Michelle Minton
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim’s nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9:00 am till 11:00 am Central Time on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.
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Tuesday is the last day traffic will be able to pass over the downtown Abbeville bridge. It is expected to be closed on Wednesday for a couple of weeks.
It’s not closed just yet.
Originally set to close Monday morning, the Old Abbeville Bridge will be closing on Wednesday.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced last week that the Old Abbeville Bridge on La. 14 Business between LA 335 (South Henry Street) and North Main Street will be closed until further notice. Crews with DOTD will be conducting maintenance work on the bridge.
But that has changed because of Mother Nature. The bridge did not close and the state announced it will not close until Wednesday.
Work will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The bridge could be closed for about three weeks.
The detour route will include US 167, LA 14 Bypass and LA 82:
• Traffic coming from the west on LA 14 will take LA 14 Bypass to LA 82 south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
• Traffic coming from the east on LA 14 will take LA 82 north to LA 14 Bypass and head east to US 167 and head south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
• Traffic on US 167 south can take LA 14 Bypass to LA 82 south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
• Traffic on LA 335 north can head west to US 167 north to LA 14 Bypass and then head east to LA 82 south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
• Traffic on LA 82 north can go to LA 14 Bypass and head west to US 167 south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
• Traffic on LA 82 south can go to LA 14 Bypass and head west to US 167 south to LA 14 (Abbeville Business District).
Gulf Coast Bank’s Kenny Richey and Claire Wallace present a
donation check to Erath 4th of July President Robert Vincent and Board Member Douglas Vincent.
ERATH — Gulf Coast Bank is excited to once again be a sponsor of the annual Erath 4th of July Celebration.
Kenny Richey, Branch Manager, and Claire Wallace, Senior Banking Associate of Gulf Coast Bank’s Erath branch, presented the check to Erath 4th of July Association President Robert Vincent and Board Member Douglas Vincent.
Gulf Coast Bank has been a proud supporter of this local celebration for many years.
“The generosity of our sponsors like Gulf Coast Bank allows us to continue to have this festival celebrating our Nation’s independence,” said Robert Vincent.
This year marks the 82nd Anniversary of the Erath 4th of July Celebration.
Gulf Coast Bank is a locally-owned and operated full-service banking institution with thirteen locations within Vermilion and Lafayette Parishes, including branches inside three area Walmarts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages America’s farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their local county committee.
According to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Vermilion County Executive Director Larry Thibodeaux, FSA is currently accepting nominations for county committee members beginning Friday, June 15, 2018.
Producers across the country are already serving on committees where they play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of FSA, making important decisions on programs dealing with disaster and conservation, emergencies, commodity loan price support, county office employment and other agricultural issues.
“County committees are unique to FSA and allow producers to have a voice on federal farm program implementation at the local level,” said Thibodeaux. “It is also important that committees are comprised of members who fairly represent the diverse demographics of production agriculture for their community. I encourage all producers, including women, minority and beginning farmers and ranchers, to participate in the nomination and election process.”
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated farmers and ranchers serve on FSA county committees, which consist of three to 11 members and meet once a month, or as needed. Members serve three-year terms.
Producers can nominate themselves or others. Organizations, including those representing beginning, women and minority producers, may also nominate candidates to better serve their communities. To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program and reside in the area where the election is being held.
This year, nominations and elections for Vermilion Parish will be held in local administrative area 1, which includes Maurice area east of La Hwy 167, Abbeville area east of the Vermilion River, Erath, Delcambre, Henry and Leblanc areas.
To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections, or from the Vermilion Parish FSA office. All nomination forms for the 2018 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2018. Visit farmers.gov for more information.
Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 5, 2018. Read more to learn about important election dates.
ERATH – A Mass celebrating the life of Coach Paul Broussard, 84, will be held at 10:00AM on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Monday, June 18, 2018 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 from 8 a.m. until the time of the services.
A native and resident of Erath, Coach Broussard died at 11:07 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Lafayette General Regional Medical Center following a long illness. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. While in the military he participated on the Army’s Track and Field Team. He was a graduate of SLI and earned his post graduate at McNeese. Coach Broussard touched countless lives in his over 40 years as a teacher and head coach. He taught and coached at St. Francis of Iota, in Lafayette Parish during which time he served as Athletics Director at Comeaux High, and in Vermilion Parish. He loved his athletes and was always proud of their accomplishments. After retirement he taught several years at SLCC.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ann Brunet Broussard of Erath; three sons, Travis Broussard of Erath, Marty Broussard and his wife Paula of Lafayette, and Corey Broussard of Redondo Beach, CA; two daughters, Bannie Settle of Joppatown, MD and Lori Cerami of Southlake, TX; a sister, Deanna Broussard of New Iberia; eight grandchildren, Hanna Settle, Gretchen Settle, Trey Settle, Colby Settle, Taylor Broussard, Olivia Kate Broussard, Jack Broussard, and Bryce Cerami; two great grandchildren, Addilyn Wallace and Milo Cardenas; and Ann’s two children, Victor Shabanah and Natalie Shabanah.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Ida “Dod” Suire Broussard; two brothers, Morris Frederick and Ronald Broussard; a sister, Janelle Viator; a daughter in law, Karen Martin Broussard and two grandchildren, Austin Broussard and Elise Cerami.
Serving as pallbearers will be Travis Broussard, Marty Broussard, Corey Broussard, Jack Broussard, Trey Settle, and Colby Settle.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Coach Benny Dronet and Paul Hardy.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ronald Lahasky and his staff of Abbeville for their professionalism and wisdom. We also wish to acknowledge Paul Stutes and his staff at Cashway Pharmacy in Erath for their cheerful and professional ways. Lafayette General Hospital’s doctors and nurses were truly compassionate and tireless in their help to our family during these difficult days.
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.
Xander Colt Gray
A son, Xander Colt Gray, was born Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Abbeville General to Teala Nichole Gray of Abbeville.
Avianna Reginae Ski Thibeaux
A daughter, Avianna Reginae Ski Thibeaux, was born Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Charles Thibeaux, Jr. of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Bianca Nicole Prejean.
Jeanelle Paige Mason
A daughter, Jeanelle Paige Mason, was born Friday, June 1, 2018, at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Sean Michael Mason of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Josie Mae Adeline Picard.
Eben Anthony Georgia
A son, Eben Anthony Georgia, was born Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at Abbeville General to Resha Angelle Broussard and Travor Jay Georgia of Abbeville.
Ryker David Caldwell Lewis
A son, Ryker David Caldwell Lewis, was born Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at Abbeville General to Holley Lynn Singer and Tevin Caldwell Lewis of Delcambre.
Kayzlyn Audreyelle Smith
A daughter, Kayzlyn Audreyelle Smith, was born May 16, 2018, at Abbeville General to Keisha Nicole Sellers of Abbeville and Jason Douglas Smith of Scott.
Brayleigh Paige Touchet
A daughter, Brayleigh Paige Touchet, was born May 16, 2018, at Abbeville General to Brittany Dawn Touchet of Abbeville.
Elijah Quinn Harrington
A son, Elijah Quinn Harrington, was born at Women’s and Children’s May 30, 2018, to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Harrington of Kaplan.
The mother is the former Gabrielle Vincent.
Norah Joan Creasman
A daughter, Norah Joan Creasman, was born May 31, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Creasman of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Kacie Breaux.
Allie Kate Hebert
A daughter, Allie Kate Hebert, was born, May 26, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Trent Hebert of Maurice.
The mother is the former Katherine Broussard.
Easton Paul Delcambre
A son, Easton Paul Delcambre, was born May 28, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Cru Delcambre of Gueydan.
The mother is the former Ashly Lougon.
Remi Lyn O’Quinn
A daughter, Remi Lyn O’Quinn, was born May 26, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Maci Terrebonne and John O’Quinn, Jr. of Erath,
Kohen Kentrell Edmond
A son, Kohen Kentrell Edmond, was born May 28, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Markeil Edmond, Sr.
The mother is the former Shawna August.
Maggie James LeBlanc
A daughter, Maggie James LeBlanc, was born May 24, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Eric LeBlanc of Erath.
Mrs. LeBlanc is the former Bliss Romero.
Camden James Lavergne
A son, Camden James Lavergne, was born May 18, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Cody Lavergne of Delcambre.
The mother if the former Jenci Meaux.
Emmett Hayes Ryder
A son, Emmett Hayes Ryder, was born May 18, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Ryder of Maurice.
The mother is the former Alix Broussard.
Jayceon Jaleel Promise
A son, Jayceon Jaleel Promise, was born April 26, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Nesherica Promise of Abbeville.
Yvonne Marie Landry
A daughter, Yvonne Marie Landry, was born May 11, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Daniel Landry and Myra Johnson of Abbeville.
Saylor Marie Duhon
A daughter, Saylor Marie Duhon, was born May 11, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Duhon of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Shaina Comeaux.
Journei Angelle Kelly
A daughter, Journei Angelle Kelly, was born Saturday, June 9, 2018, at Abbeville General to Jarrah Angelle Turner and Journal Robert Kelly of Abbeville.
Janiyah Amari Batiste
A daughter, Janiyah Amari Batiste, was born Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Abbeville General to La’Dedra Ra’Sha’Na Vakel Chargois and Jaquari Dentrel Thaney Batiste of Abbeville.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548