Louisiana's state senators may derail plans by Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration to eliminate a program that provides mental health services to thousands of children.
The Edwards administration intends to shutter the program on April 1, to save more than $2 million this year. The program elimination is part of the Louisiana Department of Health's response to cuts levied by lawmakers in last month's special session to close a deficit.
But the Senate Health and Welfare Committee scheduled a Wednesday hearing on the emergency regulation issued to eliminate the mental health services. If senators on the committee reject the regulation, that could stop the closure.
Committee Chairman Fred Mills says senators have been inundated with calls from health providers in the program and from parents of children who receive services.