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President Donald Trump’s budget bill cuts Medicaid. Here’s what it means for Louisiana.

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President Donald Trump’s budget bill cuts Medicaid. Here’s what it means for Louisiana.


WASHINGTON – During his nearly nine-hour floor speech opposing passage of the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies used Louisiana to underscore his argument that the measure harms Medicaid.

The legislation, signed into law Friday, includes tax breaks and increased funding for Republican priorities. It pays for them, partially, by cutting spending by $1.1 trillion over the next 10 years for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

That will lead to 17 million Americans losing healthcare coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

“Louisiana is a state that stands to suffer mightily as a result of this all-out assault on Medicaid,” said Jefferies, D-Brooklyn. He pointed out that the Republican supermajority in the Louisiana Legislature passed a resolution asking Congress not to slash Medicaid because the state, one of the poorest in the nation, simply couldn’t afford the extra costs.

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Except for New Mexico, Louisiana has the nation’s highest percentage of residents — one third — on Medicaid, which covers the cost of healthcare for low-income adults, children and seniors. The law eventually could cost Louisiana $4 billion and lead to 267,550 losing their coverage over the next 10 years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and other nonpartisan experts.

However, in the frenzy of negotiations other the past few weeks, some of the biggest cuts were delayed for several years.

That includes some of the changes that most alarmed Louisiana health care leaders, such as new restrictions on provider taxes and state-directed payments.

Louisiana’s hospital community, while not exuberant, says the bill could have been much worse had the Louisiana congressional delegation not inserted wording that delayed the changes, said Paul A. Salles, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge-based Louisiana Hospital Association.

State Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, put it more succinctly in a post on X: “The Senate-passed reconciliation bill is much improved, and Louisiana is in good shape.”

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Henry had said a previous version of the bill could have caused a big enough budget problem for Louisiana that the Legislature would need to convene for a special session.

With some of the biggest changes still years out, some in Louisiana health care circles hope changes can be made to blunt the impact of the cuts. Many of those changes won’t take effect until after mid-term elections next year, when the makeup of Congress could change significantly.

How Medicaid could change in Louisiana

Of the $16.4 billion annual Medicaid costs for Louisiana, state taxpayers kick in about $3 billion, according to the Legislature. The new law would halt some of the tools Louisiana uses to pay that $3 billion, requiring the state to pour in extra money or let some people go without health insurance.

Republicans cast the changes as needed to shore up the healthcare programs by ensuring services remain available only for those truly in need.

“A lot of the estimations are far overblown … especially in my district,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton. About 40% of his constituents are Medicaid eligible.

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But U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, said the bill “represents the largest cuts to health care and nutrition assistance in American history. …It strips support from our hospitals and nursing homes,” threatening to close long-term facilities and rural hospitals. About 38% of Carter’s constituents are Medicaid eligible.

Much of the savings in the new law come from fees the state levies on hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers. These provider taxes help the state put more money into Medicaid.

Provider taxes also have the effect of increasing the portion the federal government must pay. The new law ratchets down the provider tax rate from 6% to 4.5% over several years. But Louisiana’s rate is 4.6%, so the state has a buffer.

Some of the money raised through provider taxes goes directly to hospitals in what are called state directed payments. One state directed payment sends funds to rural hospitals whose patients – almost half in some parishes – have Medicaid, which doesn’t always cover the cost of services provided. 

The new law immediately freezes the size of state directed payments and, starting in 2028, lowers that amount by 10% each year.

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The provider tax also is used to boost Medicaid payments to nursing home facilities used by seniors who need long-term nursing care but have run out of insurance and savings, which is about 60% of them in Louisiana. The bill will effectively lower payments to nursing facilities and could cause many to limit patients or close their doors.

State directed programs using provider taxes, such as those for rural hospitals and nursing homes, must be approved by U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, called CMS.

Wording inserted by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, allows CMS to consider Louisiana’s state directed payment applications already in the pipeline.

“It’s a small change with huge consequences,” Cassidy wrote in a memo to state officials.

As part of the deal to persuade senators to accept restrictions on provider taxes and state directed payments, the Senate created a $50 billion fund to help rural hospitals.

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Louisiana hospital officials say the fund will help but the amount is insufficient. But delaying until 2028 allows time for the provisions to be amended.

Work requirements

One of the biggest changes is a requirement that most adults under the age of 65 years work, volunteer or go to school at least 80 hours a month. The states will have to verify eligibility twice a year rather than every 12 months beginning in 2027.

KFF Health, a respected San Francisco-based nonpartisan health care thinktank, says relatively few people who receive Medicaid are able to work but choose not to.

KFF found that 69% of Louisiana Medicaid population is working and most of the 31% who are not working are disabled, elderly, or provide care for a sickened family member or are covered under the exemptions included in the law.

The issue with the work requirement, said U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, is the amount of paperwork and effort required to remain qualified. States that have tried work requirements ended up forcing qualified recipients off Medicaid rolls.

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“It sounds good,” said Fields, D-Baton Rouge. But the data shows more people lose their qualifications from being unable to quickly track down the appropriate supporting documents, such as proof of previous jobs.

The Louisiana Department of Health, which will handle the increased vetting, did not respond to inquiries. But LDH officials told hospital and congressional representatives that a more technologically advanced system is being put in place to handle the qualification process more efficiently and will be ready by 2027, when those requirements go into effect

The new law also will charge a small co-pay to some enrollees, particularly those in families of four with incomes between $32,000 to $44,000 annually, for most provider visits except for primary care and some other services.

People who buy private insurance using federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act will have to sign up during a narrower window from November 1 to December 15.

“For the first two years, we’ll be fine, but at some point that third year is going to come,” Fields said. About 37% of his constituents are Medicaid eligible.

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“It doesn’t negate the fact that soon people who use Medicaid are going to lose their healthcare benefits and many of the hospitals, particularly rural hospitals, will close,” he added.



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Louisiana passes law allowing state park rangers to enforce littering laws anywhere in state

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1 week ago

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September 23, 2025

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Louisiana passes law allowing state park rangers to enforce littering laws anywhere in state


BATON ROUGE – Louisiana passed a state law allowing state park rangers to enforce state litter laws anywhere in Louisiana.

The increased enforcement comes alongside revamped reinforcement efforts with a hotline. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will field hotline calls and pass information to state park rangers, who if given proper information, can issue a citation.

Simple littering, such as trash flying out the back of a pickup truck, carries up to $175 in fines plus court costs. Intentional littering, such as deliberately throwing trash out of a window onto a roadway, brings up to a $250 fine. Gross littering, such as depositing large amounts of trash into a ditch or having an illegal dumpsite, carries $500 to $1,000 in fines.

Officials say crimes such as dumping violations have more in-depth processes; anyone interested can find more information at the Keep Louisiana Beautiful website.

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This Week in Southeastern Athletics – September 15-21, 2025 – Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics

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2 weeks ago

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September 14, 2025

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This Week in Southeastern Athletics – September 15-21, 2025 – Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics


This Week in Southeastern Athletics – September 15-21, 2025
Monday, September 15
Golf | at Grover Page Classic | Memphis, Tenn. | 8:15 a.m.
Football | Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo | Brady’s | 7 p.m. | Kajun 107.1 FM | The Highway 104.7 FM | The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM
            – Community Spotlight Guest: Scott Henderson, The Salad Station/Tommy’s on                                 
             Thomas
 
Tuesday, September 16
Golf | at Grover Page Classic | Memphis, Tenn. | 8:15 a.m.
 
Thursday, September 18

Volleyball | at Texas A&M (Texas A&M Invitational) | College Station, Texas | 6 p.m.
 
Friday, September 19

Volleyball | vs. LMU (Texas A&M Invitational) | College Station, Texas | 3 p.m.
 
Saturday, September 20
Football | at LSU | Baton Rouge | SEC Network | SEC Network | Kajun 107.1 FM | The Highway 104.7 FM | The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM

Volleyball | vs. New Hampshire (Texas A&M Invitational) | College Station, Texas | Noon
 
Sunday, September 21
Soccer | at UTRGV | Edinburg, Texas | 1 p.m. | ESPN+*

Southeastern home events in bold | All times Central | * – Southland Conference event

 

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football and two-time defending Southland Conference champion volleyball team hit the road for nonconference play, the SLU soccer team opens Southland Conference play, the Lion men’s golf team opens the fall portion of its 2025-26 schedule and Southeastern Athletics will compete in the university’s Giving Day during this week in Southeastern Athletics.

 

The SLU football team (2-1) will close out nonconference play at No. 3 LSU. Saturday’s game will kickoff at 6:45 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.

 

The Southeastern volleyball team (5-3) will close out an eight-match road swing this week, heading to College Station, Texas to compete in the Texas A&M Invitational. The Lady Lions will face host Texas A&M Thursday at 6 p.m., Loyola Marymount Friday at 3 p.m. and New Hampshire Saturday at noon during the tournament.

 

The SLU women’s soccer team (1-4-2) will open league play on the road this week. Southeastern will face new league member UTRGV Sunday at 1 p.m. in Edinburg, Texas.

 

The Lion golf team opens the 2025-26 season this week. Southeastern will head to Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the Grover Page Classic Monday and Tuesday.

 

Southeastern Giving Day is set for Wednesday and is an opportunity to give back to the university, including Southeastern Athletics. Visit www.southeasterngivingday.org for more information.

 

On the Air

This week’s football game will be televised on SEC Network, while Thursday’s volleyball match will air on SEC Network+. Sunday’s soccer match can be seen on ESPN+.

 

The 2025 season of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo will continue Monday at 7 p.m. at Brady’s in downtown Hammond. Scelfo and host Allen Waddell will discuss all things Lion football on the hour-long show weekly during the season, which airs on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM).

 

Scott Henderson of The Salad Station and Tommy’s on Thomas will be Monday’s Community Spotlight Guest.

 

The same Southeastern Sports Radio Network stations will broadcast Saturday’s football game.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Southeastern Athletics, follow @LionUpAthletics on X and Instagram or like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook.

 

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.

 

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Louisiana’s Win Streak Snapped After Hard-Fought Battle at Ole Miss

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2 weeks ago

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September 13, 2025

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Louisiana’s Win Streak Snapped After Hard-Fought Battle at Ole Miss


OXFORD, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Volleyball team had the momentum in its favor each of the first two sets before Ole Miss battled back and went on to post a 3-0 win (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) on Friday, September 12 at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Rebels (4-3) leaned upon 16 kills each time to overcome the pressure from the Ragin’ Cajuns (6-2) and open a 2-0 match lead. Then in Set 3, Ole Miss hit .400 and sided out at 80 percent to end the contest early.

Louisiana put itself in position to be the ones ahead 2-0 in the match, tied 13-13 midway through Set 1 and laying hold to a 17-13 advantage late in Set 2. Ultimately the offensive edge for Ole Miss, which held a 45-29 edge in kills and .391 to .176 advantage in hitting percentage for the match, paid dividends.

Both sides had balanced scoring, the Ragin’ Cajuns led by nine kills from Cailin Demps and seven kills from Grace Sweeney. The Rebels, though, were able to have four players score more than five kills led by the trio of Shayla Meyer (10), Melia Johnson (9) and Gabi Placide (9) each reaching nine scores.

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The loss snapped Louisiana’s three-match win streak, the squad ending a five-match road swing with a 3-2 mark.

Ole Miss claimed victory in its 2025 season home opener and remained unbeaten in the 2000s against UL.

Jazmine Gaston scored a kill on each of her first two swings in Set 1 as the Cajuns remained ahead early 9-7 after taking the lead at 4-3 on a Kennedy Gustafson ace.

The teams were near even with five kills apiece and both hitting .300-plus through the 13-all tie. Meyer helped the Rebels make the decisive move, scoring the tiebreaking kill and serving up an ace to gain separation for good.

Sweeney asserted herself at the onset of Set 2, scoring two aces and a kill in a personal 3-0 run that pulled Louisiana ahead 4-1, then preserved the lead with yet another early kill to make it 9-7.

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Later on, Sweeney teamed up with Harley Krause on back-to-back winners as the Cajuns stretched the lead out to 17-13. The Rebels, though, reversed course as a kill, ace and block all in succession ignited a 12-5 set-ending run that prevented Louisiana from evening the match.

With a kill on each of its first three swings in Set 3 the Rebels quickly opened a 5-3 lead and led the rest of the way. Demps, who scored five kills in the frame, began to find her groove getting two kills over a span of five rallies keeping the Cajuns within striking distance at 15-11.

Ole Miss sided out after a UL service error then came up with another timely block to advance the lead to 17-11. The teams traded side outs through Demps’ final kill of the night which made it 21-16 before the Rebels scored three straight for the final separation.

LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Sweeney in Set 2 and Demps in Set 3 both turned in a five-kill set performance. The duo combined for 16 of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 29 kills.

Demps’ output marked the eighth time in as many matches she’s scored at least nine kills.

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Freshman Lindsey Henry had a hand in both of the team’s blocks while Gustafson collected a team-leading eight digs.

Sweeney was a close second with six digs and setter Ryleigh Garis scooped five digs to go with her team-high tying 12 assists.

Chelsea Gilmore and Sweeney served up two aces apiece to pace the Ragin’ Cajuns to six aces.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin’ Cajuns return home to E.K. Long Gym for the Ragin’ Cajuns Classic scheduled for Friday-Saturday, September 19-20.

Louisiana hosts Southern and Nicholls in the round robin event, meeting the Jaguars on Friday (Sept. 19) at 6:00 p.m. and then matching up with the Colonels on Saturday (Sept. 20) at Noon.

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The Ragin’ Cajuns Classic marks the final non-conference matches of the 2025 season. Louisiana opens Sun Belt play the following weekend, September 26-27, on the road at Texas State.

FOLLOW THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB [twitter.com]), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB [facebook.com]) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB [instagram.com]) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.

Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin’ Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here [apps.apple.com] for iOS/Apple platforms and here [play.google.com] for Android platforms.





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