Louisiana Faces $4B Medicaid Cut, Special Session Expected

Louisiana State Senate President Cameron Henry has expressed serious concerns over proposed federal Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," warning that the state could face a $4 billion shortfall. With about 35-40% of Louisiana's population relying on Medicaid, and federal funds covering more than two-thirds of the state's $15 billion annual Medicaid expenditure, such cuts could devastate local and rural hospitals. Henry has engaged with U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and other federal leaders, hoping for a phased implementation of the changes to mitigate immediate impacts. He warned that if the bill passes as is, Louisiana will likely call a special legislative session to address the funding gap, which could include reconsidering tax policies and other budget adjustments. The timeline for federal action is expected to conclude by early July, while state lawmakers also prepare for a potential special session related to political redistricting following an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Despite ongoing discussions, the situation remains fluid, with Henry emphasizing the difficulty and urgency of protecting healthcare access across Louisiana.