HJBR Jul/Aug 2026

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JUL / AUG 2026 45 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com Medicaid to be eligible for SUN Bucks. Children enrolled in SNAP will receive SUN Bucks on their existing SNAP EBT card. Fami- lies who received SUN Bucks in 2024 or 2025 will receive their child’s 2026 benefit on the same card. New participants not enrolled in SNAP will receive a preloaded EBT card by mail in a white envelope addressed to their child. Cards for eligible children in the same family may arrive separately. SUN Bucks benefits must be used within 122 days of issuance. Any remaining balance after that time will expire and cannot be reissued. For program details and answers to frequently asked questions, call the SUN Bucks helpline at (833) 323-7482 or visit: ldh.la.gov/page/sun-bucks To request a replacement EBT card, call (888) 997-1117, call the SUN Bucks helpline at (833) 323- 7482, use the LifeInCheck EBT app, or visit: LifeInCheckEBT.com Families can find no-cost summer meal sites near them using the USDA SUN Programs site finder at: fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder Louisiana Healthcare Connections Exceeds Benchmarks forWell-Child Visits Louisiana Healthcare Connections has sur- passed both state and national benchmarks for well-child visits among its Medicaid members, achieving significant improvements in preventive care utilization. Well-child visits are essential for monitoring a child’s physical, emotional, and social devel- opment, allowing for early detection of poten- tial health issues. Well-child visits help ensure a healthy start for Louisiana’s children. Serving approximately 350,000 members state- wide — nearly 27% of Louisiana’s Medicaid man- aged care population — including 208,000 mem- bers under the age of 21, Louisiana Healthcare Connections reported significant gains in preven- tive pediatric care across all age groups. In the most recent reporting period, well-child visits increased by approximately nine percent- age points, measured against 2022 benchmarks. Additionally, according to the Centers for Medi- care and Medicaid Services (CMS), Louisiana increasing the number of scans that can be com- pleted each day while reducing the time required for each appointment. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Announces New Transforming Health Award Louisiana Healthcare Connections has intro- duced a newly named physician recognition, the Transforming Health Award. The inaugural recipients of the Transforming Health Award include three physicians/physician groups representing key areas of care across Louisiana: • Samuel Brown, MD, Kenner; • New Orleans East Louisiana (NOELA) Com- munity Health Center, New Orleans; and • Lily Pad Pediatrics, Opelousas. Each honoree represents a component of Loui- siana’s healthcare ecosystem, from pediatric care to community-based primary and maternal care, areas that are central to improving long-term health outcomes across the state. Louisiana Opens Applications for Rural Clinician Credit Bank Applications are now open for the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability (ORHTS) Rural Clinician Credit Bank, a new $5.6 million pro- gram designed to help rural healthcare provid- ers recruit and retain physicians, nurses, dentists, EMS personnel, behavioral health professionals, and other clinicians serving in the state’s rural communities. The Rural Clinician Credit Bank provides match- ing funds to eligible rural healthcare providers for recruitment and retention incentives including sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, relocation assistance, and professional training. Participat- ing clinicians must commit to serving in rural Lou- isiana for at least five years. The program helps rural providers remain competitive in attracting and retaining clinicians while supporting work- force development. The program is part of Louisiana’s broader Rural Health Transformation effort to improve access to care, address workforce shortages, and build sus- tainable healthcare delivery models in rural com- munities statewide. Eligible applicants include a wide range of rural healthcare providers, including hospitals, clinics, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, physician practices, behavioral health providers, EMS agen- cies, pharmacies, and dental providers. Applications for the first budget period were accepted through June 25, 2026. For additional information email RuralHealthTransformation@ la.gov or visit: bit.ly/rhtp-funding SUN Bucks Are Out for Summer 2026 The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has begun issuing SUN Bucks. The program provides $120 in grocery benefits to help ensure children who receive free or reduced-price school meals get the nutrition they need when schools are closed for summer break. Children who are automatically enrolled will see SUN Bucks added to their EBT card. Sun Bucks will continue to be issued as applications are approved and additional children become eligi- ble through the Supplemental Nutrition Assis- tance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP), Kinship Care Sub- sidy Program (KCSP), or income-based Medicaid. Most eligible children will receive SUN Bucks automatically and do not need to apply. No appli- cation is necessary if: • Child was born between August 20, 2007 and July 1, 2020, and received SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, or income-based Medicaid bene- fits at any time between July 1, 2025, and August 20, 2026. • Child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP), and was individually approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals. Application for SUN Bucks is needed for chil- dren attending a Community Eligibility Provi- sion (CEP) school where all students receive free meals, but the child’s family did not complete an NSLP or SBP application. Families who believe they may be eligible based on income should apply by August 20 at: louisiana.summerebtapp.com Homeschooled or virtual school students must receive SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, or income-based