Action Alert #4 LDH Budget in House Appropriations

March 11, 2026

On Monday, March 16^th at 9 AM, the House Appropriations Committee is expected to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 27 budget for the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). This budget would begin July 1^st.

Some important disability-related priorities are not included in the current proposed budget (House Bill 1 or HB1).

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) Pay

• HCBS help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.

• Many of these services depend on DSWs who provide daily help and support.

• A recent rate study found that about $53.6 million in state general funds would be needed to raise service rates and DSW pay.

• Click HERE for more information.

Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers

• The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council provides state funding to FHF Centers across the state.
• The proposed budget includes a $250,000 cut to this funding.
• This cut can affect FHF services and operations.
• Click HERE for more information.

How to Take Action

If these topics are important to you, you may want to share your experiences or concerns with members of the House Appropriations Committee.

Email or call the Chair and committee members before the March 16^th meeting. Contact information for members is listed at the end of this alert.

Email your comments and concerns to [email protected].

When sharing comments, it helps to include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The topic you are writing about (HCBS rates, DSW pay, FHF Centers, etc.)
• A short description of your experience or concerns

It is always helpful to thank members for their time and attention.

Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help with this alert or would like more information.

Committee meetings can be viewed live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. When the meeting is active, there will be a link to click and watch the meeting.

Save the Date – Public Testimony in House Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony about the state budget bill (HB1).

Monday, March 23^rd

9:00 AM

LA State Capitol – House Committee Room 5

Please note, the date and time may change. We will send more information as the meeting gets closer.

Committee Members are sorted by region. Find your region!

Committee Members are sorted by region. Find your region!

All Regions	Committee Chairman
Jack McFarland	[email protected]	(318) 259-4275
Region 1	New Orleans Area
Aimee Adatto Freeman	[email protected]	(504) 861-1614
Alonzo Knox	[email protected]	(504) 568-3101
Region 2	Baton Rouge/Capital Area
Roy Daryl Adams	[email protected]	(225) 634-7470
Barbara Carpenter	[email protected]	(225) 771-5674
Barbara Reich Freiberg	[email protected]	(225) 763-3500
Vanessa LaFleur	[email protected]	(225) 925-6880
Denise Marcelle	[email protected]	(225) 359 -9362
Region 3	Houma/Thibodaux Area
Beryl Amedee	[email protected]	(985) 858-2967
Jerome Zeringue	[email protected]	(985) 876-8823
Region 4	Lafayette/Acadiana Area
Rhonda Butler	[email protected]	(337) 363-3900
Region 5	Lake Charles/Southwest LA Area
Dewith Carrier	[email protected]	(318) 355-0206
Charles “Chuck” Owen	[email protected]	(337) 460-8726
Phillip Tarver	[email protected]	(337) 472-8186
Region 6	Alexandria/Central LA Area
Rhonda Butler	[email protected]	(337) 363-3900
Jason Dewitt	[email protected]	(318) 277-7475
Jack McFarland (Chair)	[email protected]	(318) 259-4275
Charles “Chuck” Owen	[email protected]	(337) 460-8726
Region 7	Shreveport/Northwest LA Area
Larry Bagley	[email protected]	(318) 925-9588
Dodie  Horton	[email protected]	(318) 949-2463
Jack McFarland (Chair)	[email protected]	(318) 259-4275
Region 8	Monroe/Northeast LA Area
Adrian Fisher	[email protected]	(318) 556-7001
Jack McFarland (Chair)	[email protected]	(318) 259-4275
Francis Thompson	[email protected]	(318) 878-9408
Region 9	Hammond/Northshore Area
Stephanie Hunter Berault	[email protected]	(985) 640-9795
Kimberly Landry Coates	[email protected]	(985) 551-1424
Shane Mack	[email protected]	(225) 686-7500
Region 10	Jefferson/New Orleans Area
John Illg, Jr.	[email protected]	(504) 737-0315
Timothy Kerner	[email protected]	(504) 689-7725
Rodney Lyons	[email protected]	(504) 510-5417

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy

Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page. You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story