A bill to create an Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. Senate Bill 116 would create the office to lead and coordinate efforts intended to improve women’s health outcomes. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel said there are several reasons why such an office is needed.
“Louisiana sits near the bottom nationally on health outcomes for women and children. Poverty and hunger disproportionally affect women and children. Louisiana is one of the highest states for maternal death, especially for African American women,” said Schlegel.
The bill passed unanimously but not without debate over Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews’ amendment excluding transgender women from receiving services from the office.
“I just think it would defeat the whole objective of the bill to provide these services to a man. That’s all this amendment does, and I talked to the author and they agree with the goal I just want to make sure it’s codified,” said Crews.
The amendment passed on a 61-32 vote.
The Office of Women’s Health would be funded by the Louisiana Department of Health and one lawmaker expressed concern that the creation of such an office grows government which is something he opposes in theory. Schlegel responded.
“I’m conservative, I don’t like growing government. I do think women, no matter what the cost is worthy of this, especially when we are at the bottom of health outcomes,” said Schlegel.
Senate Bill 116, by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, passed unanimously in both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature.
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