Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-06-24

Duration: 00:06:36

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1983 | HEALTH INSURANCE | WIDOWS | Widowers

Contributors:

• Ekings, Robyn Host
• Engdahl, Betty Interviewee
• Bussie, Fran Interviewee
• Downer, Hunt Interviewee
• Reitz, Mike Interviewee

This segment from the June 24, 1983, episode of “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Robyn Ekings’ report on the passage of a bill at the 1983 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature requiring group insurance companies to offer the widow or widower of a recently deceased policy holder over the age of 50 the option to continue their health insurance coverage. Ekings interviews: widow Betty Engdahl on her experience of losing her health insurance six months after the death of her husband; Fran Bussie of the AFL-CIO on the reasons she supports the bill; State Representative Hunt Downer on his opposition to the bill; and Mike Reitz, the spokesperson for Blue Cross of Louisiana, on their concerns that the bill will drive up the costs of health insurance. Ekings reports that Governor Dave Treen has not yet approved the bill.