Louisiana Governor Asking for Vote on Health Insurance Outsourcing Plan

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration is returning to lawmakers this week to ask for approval to outsource a state employee health insurance plan.

Jindal’s top budget adviser shelved a vote recently when it became clear the contract between the Office of Group Benefits and Blue Cross/Blue Shield didn’t have enough votes to win passage.

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols is scheduled to revisit the request on Nov. 9 with the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees.

The meeting comes after two Republican members on the House committee were ousted from the panel, a day after they sided with opponents of Jindal’s outsourcing proposal.

Jindal proposes hiring Blue Cross as a cost-cutting move to manage an insurance plan that covers workers, retirees and their dependents. Critics worry the change could harm health benefits.