Cassidy Discusses Work to Expand Health Care Access on Northshore

METAIRIE - This morning, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) spoke at an event sponsored by the St. Tammany Corporation and Ochsner Health entitled, "St. Tammany Sector Symposium: Healthcare Innovation and Economic Impact." Cassidy discussed his work to improve health care for Northshore residents as the Ranking Member and incoming Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

"The St. Tammany Sector Symposium on Healthcare Innovation and Economic Impact is a great start to meeting health care needs of individuals, families and communities in St. Tammany Parish," said Dr. Cassidy. "I look forward to learning from them as I have already, as to how to implement better policies to serve their purpose and the purposes of us all, as I assume my new role as Chair of the Health, Educator, Labor and Pensions Committee."

As Ranking Member of the HELP Committee, Cassidy is leading the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform Act, which reforms misaligned incentives for PBMs, ultimately helping lower the costs that patients pay for drugs. He is also leading multiple bills that bring low-cost generic drugs quicker to market, so Americans can access these drugs at an affordable cost.

Cassidy has also moved forward bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, to strengthen our nation's public health readiness and ensure all institutions have the tools to respond to the next health crisis or emergency. He is also leading the reauthorization of legislation to bolster prevention, treatment and recovery services for Americans with substance use disorders and mental illnesses.

The symposium is the latest engagement effort by St. Tammany Corporation to showcase the economic impact of the health care industry on the Northshore. In May of 2022, a pilot program entitled "Northshore Healthscape: A Collaborative Enhancing the Pulse of our Regional Healthcare Economy" was launched and is inclusive of St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes.

Among other accomplishments, they have conducted a regional health care infrastructure assessment and addressed immediate and short-term workforce needs. Currently, there are 22,000 jobs tied to health care in the region, with 5,000 unique job postings in the past 12 months. Health care also contributes more than $1.5 billion to gross domestic product in the region.

Cassidy was welcomed by Mr. Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, to the symposium.

"The health care industry is a key economic driver in St. Tammany and the Northshore, with significant impact on our economic landscape, quality of life, and job opportunities for our people," said Mr. Masingill. "A strong health care ecosystem supports a dynamic and skilled workforce, vibrant communities, and a prosperous economy."

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