© 2024 Red River Radio
Voice of the Community
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Edwards Slams AG Landry For Lawsuit Against ACA

Courtesy: file photo-LSU-HSC/Baton Rouge

PRE-EXISTING COVERAGE IN JEOPARDY? Yesterday, Gov. John Bel Edwards  slammed  Louisiana's attorney general Jeff Landry  for joining a lawsuit aimed at throwing out the federal healthcare overhaul, including protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Edwards, a Democrat  said the lawsuit threatens health coverage for 849,000 people in Louisiana who are estimated to have pre-existing health conditions.

During an appearance on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJcwL8hG6Oo">Cable News Network yesterday,  Landry, a Republican  said that once Obamacare is overturned, it would allow health care insurers to compete by bringing more competition into the market and lower premiums.  But when CNN’s Erica Hill asked Landry if there was a specific plan to assure health care coverage to Louisiana’s citizens who have pre-existing health conditions, there was this exchange:

Credit Courtesy: CNN
/
Courtesy: CNN
JOINING THE LAWSUIT-La. Attorney General Jeff Landry appeared on CNN to answer questions by Erica Hill on the lawsuit to repeal Obamacare.

Landry explained "Again, that's what we've always said from the beginning, not this type of universal healthcare plan which has done nothing but been a drain on both the state .."  Hill interrupted by saying, "Okay, we only have 30 seconds sir but just to be clear, there is not an exact plan to ensure that those with pre-existing conditions will continue to be guaranteed coverage in the state of Louisiana. Is that correct?”

“Oh, absolutely, no, I would disagree,” Landry remarked.

“But it sounds to me like there’s not a plan,” Hill shot back. “All you’re saying is competition is going to figure it out.”

“I’m not the Legislature,” Landry said. “I’m the attorney general for making sure that we abide by the rule of law.”

Credit Courtesy: La. Office of the Governor
/
Courtesy: La. Office of the Governor
SLAMS LANDRY'S POSITION - Gov. John Bel Edwards has expressed his disapproval of Attorney General Jeff Landry's joining 20 other states in a lawsuit to repeal Obamacare.

In February,  Republican governors and attorneys general in 20 states filed the lawsuit that argues the Affordable Care Act was rendered unconstitutional after Congress repealed the "individual mandate" that required most Americans to buy insurance or risk a tax penalty.

Landry, a possible challenger to Edwards in the 2019 governor's race, has long opposed former President Barack Obama's health care law as an unconstitutional federal overreach.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.