AARP Criticizes Jindal Administration's Delay in Implementing Bayou Choices, Which Offers Hope for Real Reform for Consumers of Long Term Care

AARP Louisiana Interim State Director Denise Bottcher issued the following statement today regarding the decision of the Department of Health and Hospitals to delay the implementation of Bayou Choices:

“We were deeply disappointed today to learn of the Department of Health and Hospitals’ decision to delay implementation of managed, coordinated long term care, known as Bayou Choices. The reform of Managed Long Term Care has great potential to expand service choices for older adults and their families, to allow more individuals to remain at home and out of costly nursing homes, and achieve real cost savings for the state.

The Jindal administration’s decision to delay Bayou Choices could have dire consequences for our state’s older adult population and family caregivers, both of whom desperately need support. We are hopeful that Louisiana’s next Governor makes the needs of older adults a top priority by enacting real solutions to ensure people have options other than remaining on a waiting list for services and assistance.

AARP believes the best way to deliver managed long term care is to bring together all care providers — from home and community- based services to nursing homes — as part of a coordinated team.

Louisianans want to live independently at home for as long as possible with the help of their family caregivers. In fact, a recent statewide survey shows that 90 percent of Louisiana voters 45 and older say home and community- based services are important to stay in their own home as they age. Bayou Choices can go far towards helping Louisianans meet this goal of independent living in their own communities, and any delay in its implementation is simply unacceptable.”