When A Crony Ain’t A Homie, No More
by Kenneth Cooper
In Louisiana where there’s no crisis the state can’t make worse, you probably haven’t heard that latest. Last year about 1.5 million people almost lost their Medicaid coverage, and as it stands today, their coverage remains in doubt. This all started because healthcare officials let a coverage dispute turn into a shady bidding process, which culminated with one of their evaluators allegedly falling asleep during a bid presentation, and the company with the losing bid filing a protest. In other words, the beef between Louisiana Healthcare Connections (LHCC) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is still spilling out into the street. There are billions of dollars involved – about $21 billion over 3 years to be exact – so don’t expect either side to voluntarily squash it in the best interest of the people who depend on Medicaid coverage.
In the good ole days, like up until last year, LHCC was the state’s biggest Medicaid insurer, enjoying a multibillion-dollar contract to provide insurance for about ¼ of all Medicaid enrollees – top dog status.
But according to the LHCC protest, there was “an ongoing dispute over a health care policy designed to reduce the number of preventable hospital readmissions and improve the quality of hospital care,” which sounds like another way of saying an ongoing dispute over them trying to limit coverage. This dispute apparently reached petty status, and when the contract was up and it was time to re-bid, the LDH altered its evaluation criteria to box LHCC out, according to LHCC.
However, the LDH evaluators left an email trail which LHCC obtained, and immediately turned them over the to the state procurement office, which promptly suspended the results of the bidding process. (As for the evaluator who fell asleep during the presentation, there’s absolutely no proof that she also works for the Sewerage & Water Board.) The procurement decision meant the LDH couldn’t award new contracts, which means it couldn’t provide coverage — to about 1.5 million people. Luckily, they were allowed to issue a one-year emergency renewal of the existing contracts. And that’s where the state stands now, with a ¼ of its budget in financial limbo.
Yes, I agree. This is pretty trifling. It’s like climate change. On the surface all appears well. People on Medicaid are continuing to go on like nothing is happening, but meanwhile under the surface, there’s a whole lot of man-made (state-made?) polluting of the process that makes their Medicaid possible. You have to just love Louisiana! It has a unique gift at being the best of the worst at almost everything.
Somehow, I don’t’ think this will end with a lot of kissing and making-up. There are still billions of dollars, a couple of hundred jobs, and a lot of pride at stake, which means this will most likely end up spilling out into court. But that’s life in Louisiana. In the state that sense forgot, a crony can no longer be a homie, just like that.
LLBC- We always get Crickets! How so when…
LBRC- Why does the so- called Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus refuse to respond about Reparations? Especially when…
1. Insurance Cost are disparate in Black Zip Codes! How does this go unaddressed? Does this have anything to do with with Caucasian “Endorsements”, because they know Negroes have dismal voting records, even in Majority Negro Districts, as well do not hold Negro Legislators accountable? Can’t even name their Reps.? Mary, Joseph and Marta Caroli plus 3 in a fiery Furnace!!! Christos K^m!!!
2. When “Education Outcomes” are “PITIFUL” in “Majority Black” NOLA and elsewhere, to such an extent there are tens of thousands of so- called “Opportunity Youth” aka “Functionally Illiterate” Black Youth” (Black Youth Unemployment is off The Charts!)- How does this go without outrage at a 100% Charter System in NOLA, composed of lots of “Alternatively Certified” so called Teachers? Remember when Black Teachers were paid less then Caucasian ones? Why is it when the certification of Black Teachers “Equal” those of Caucasians in terms of testing and training (Lots of Blacks attended Caucasian Institutions and Scored “Higher” than Caucasians in College GPA and National Certification at “Caucasian Institutions”!!!). Yet- In 2020 and since 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, “Highly Certified and Qualified” Black Teachers were discriminated against and replaced with “Alternatively Certified Personnel” and “Fired” en masse!!! During Jim Crow, Black Lawyers were required to pass The Bar after being admitted to Law Schools, now say Earl Amadee!!! Black Teachers dominated NOLA! So why was NOLA Targeted for disruption, to say the least? Crickets again? Where was the so- called LLBC during the Katrina Travesty? We heard crickets? Just like with Reparations- Crickets!!! Are these Negroes serious? They claim to be “Christian”? With their lips, yeah right! They suffer our youth before The Most High, no objections or redress? Lots endorsed BESE candidates who perpetuated this Black Youth Massacre? Abba Father, reward this wicked seed according to their deeds, Hypocrisy and False Representations!!! They Suffer your “Innocent” Children as “You” Witness- Then “Perceive” impunity!!! They worship lies and their lips deceive Fools, while Truth runs ubiquitous to those who clearly see and can Discern!!!
3. What is the “Quality of Life” in Black Zip Codes in terms of services and parity, i.e., just 1 example- Metairie, Louisiana has “Art Deco” sound barriers along their I- 10 Corridor!!! NOLA contributes how much in taxes to the State of Louisiana vs Metairie? Is ‘Dis ‘Thang on??? NOLA is a De Facto Louisiana Share Cropper City!!! Where’s The Art Deco for The New Orleans East I- 10 Corridor, Majority Negro? Somebody is profoundly stupid, however- We guarantee there is a “Fixed” minority of Blacks who see and discern clearly!!! Save your worthless rhetoric for the ‘Simps and others who walk the streets proudly displaying their Brains aka ‘Glutes covered with polyester bloomers- Lots are Chronological Adult ‘Simps, who disrespect our kids and all with their Pitiful Filthy examples! Just keeping it Real…- Once, only women wore “Bloomers”, in 2020 it’s hard to discern which Plastic Head (Cancer Phthalates in Hair and Cursed (g)od of India Hair Weaves exported to Negro ‘Guttos aka Ghettos in America) team is which! Look it up! We just ‘saying…
Peace Out…