The Health of Louisiana appears to be in good hands but the challenges are substantial.

On Monday, Bayoubuzz interviewed Alan Levine, Governor Bobby Jindal’s choice to lead the mammoth Department of Health and Hospitals.  The  purpose of the interview .is to obtain a “State of the Health” report of Louisiana.  It is part of a multi-part series.  

Levine hails from Florida, praises Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida, and also has high marks for Bobby Jindal, (his now-boss).  He had previously told Bayoubuzz that he took a major pay cut from his former employment to become the Secretary of Health and Hospitals for the Jindal administration.  Levine manages the largest department in Louisiana state government.  Today’s three-part-video interview segments starts with some biographical information, the range of the Department of Health and Hospitals services and the "biggest challenges" the state faces in health care.

Without doubt, Levine is supporting a private-based program to deal with the burgeoning Medicaid costs.  Medicaid covers individuals who are disabled and poor and the recipients make up approximately one-fifth of the state’s population.  He said the poor “are not stupid” and they should be given choices in plans which they can opt-in as consumers.

Levine discussed his Florida roots, the reasons he chose health care as a profession, his initial  meeting with then Governor-elect Jindal.  He also explained how his department interfaces with so many agencies and every day and important issues ranging from licensing, hurricanes and even tattoo parlors.  A quick review of the department’s web site clearly demonstrates the panoply of topics the Secretary and his agency becomes involved with on any given day.

Here are three videos from Part I of the multi-part interview with Secretary Levine.  

Secretary Levine discusses His backround and working for Jeb Bush.  He also talks about his initial interactions with Governor-elect Bobby Jindal.

ractions

Secretary Levine discusses his department, the wide scope of responsibilities and the way it interfaces with so much of state government, the private sector and the general public.   

Secretary Levine discusses the major challenges of his department that he currently envisions

this point in the Jindal administration.

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Interview by Stephen Sabludowsky and Dr. Lorrie Metzler.

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