Louisiana Department of Health

SB 2 proponents presented unfounded links between the levels of fluoride in drinking water and autism, low IQ and thyroid problems at the hearing. The bill is strongly opposed by health experts and dentists.

The health department also plans to review Medicaid patients’ driver’s licenses and use AI to reduce waste and fraud in health care spending, officials said.

Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed Bruce Greenstein, the health secretary under former Gov. Bobby Jindal, to help lead Louisiana’s Department of Health.

Louisiana’s Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham confirmed Thursday that two infants have died in the last six months amid an ongoing whooping cough outbreak in the state, and said vaccines are the best way to protect against infections.

The cuts target mental health and substance use programs, including crisis services, according to Louisiana health officials.

Louisiana will have to replace the agency leader in charge of the largest budget in state government, as the state health department announced Thursday that its secretary, Michael Harrington, has retired.

The Louisiana State Medical Society and eight other medical organizations are calling for an end to the politicization of vaccines in the wake of a new Louisiana Department of Health policy banning vaccine promotion and events.

Louisiana’s top public health physician is described in multiple state communications as a family medicine physician, but he is not listed as board-certified in the specialty.

The directive continues a dramatic shift in vaccine policy within the health department under the leadership of Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman, both of whom have repeated vaccine misinformation.

At least 15 people reported illness after eating oysters at several New Orleans restaurants.