LEGISLATIVE UPDATE UPON ADJOURNMENT The 2024 Louisiana Legislative Regular Session adjourned on June 3, 2024.
For most participants from legislators to regulators to lobbyists, Sine Die comes with a big *SIGH*! For these folks, the legislative season began with the organizational session on January 8 of this year and was non-stop for just 5 days short of 6 months! As a refresher (since there’s been a lot of water passing under the bridge this year), the first special session was short and specific to redistricting Louisiana’s Congressional seats. The goal was to create a second majority-minority district. This was accomplished by creating a “slash” district across the state that contains parts of Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Shreveport – and everything in between. The changed district was represented by Congressman Garret Graves, a Republican from Baton Rouge who did not run for Congress last Fall. The most well-known name which appeared on the ballot was State Senator Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge.
The second special session was slightly longer but still a short whirlwind and focused on Criminal Justice. During the second special session, the legislature focused on strengthening sentencing, moving 17-year-old offenders into adult prisons and giving citizens greater ability to carry guns. Changes also included a roll-back of various statutes changed during the prior administration. With little to no time between organizing and the two special sessions, the regular session began on March 11 with Governor Landry focusing on three major points: 1. Calling a Constitutional Convention to follow the regular session culminating in a ratifying vote during the November Presidential Election, 2. Deregulating property insurance in the hope of encouraging new companies to underwrite policies in Louisiana, and 3. Offering school choice to allow parents to direct how state money follows their child using tools like Education Savings Accounts. You’ve heard your government affairs staff tell you frequently that elections matter and have systemic changes and consequences throughout government. For the first time ever, Louisiana has a Republican Governor with a Republican super-majority legislature with which to work. Other than his efforts at having a Constitutional Convention, Gov. Landry continues to rack up victories at the Capitol. Depending on where you personally sit, this will no doubt impact your thoughts on how things are going in Baton Rouge. For LSMS though, much of the legislation this session focused on anything but healthcare, leaving us to quietly manage what affected physicians, patients and the practice of medicine. Even though we had to cancel our White Coat Wednesday due to inclement weather, The Physician Coalition of Louisiana still hosted the Legislative Reception at The City Club. The following photos are from the successful event.
LDH Secretary Ralph Abraham, MD, and his wife Dianne at the legislation reception with attendees from VCOM. L to R: Dean Mark Sanders, DO; Direction Leann Bond; the Abrahams; Dean Emeritus Ray Morrison, DO and students Jimmy Nguyen, Christine Le and Kenny Kha-Vo.
LDH CHIEF OF STAFF, DREW MARANTO VISITS WITH REP. WAYNE MCMAHEN OF SPRINGHILL.
Reece Newsome, MD, from LaPlace is shown here with Neel Gupta, MD, and Nicole Freehill, MD, both from New Orleans.
Sen. Bob Owen from Slidell with Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter from New Roads.
10 LSMS: YEAR IN REVIEW | 2024
LSMS: YEAR IN REVIEW | 2024 11
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