In the News

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, talked about health care Thursday in a town hall meeting with constituents.

Johnson, who represents the 4th Congressional District, including Allen, Beauregard and Vernon parishes, said premiums in Louisiana have risen 123 percent and that the quest for affordable health care is at a crisis stage.

He said that over 80 insurance companies nationwide have retreated from the plan and that over 50 counties have only a single provider option.

Johnson said a bill being written in the House would allow for pre-existing conditions to continue being covered, but some constituents at the meeting spoke in favor of the Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama.

One woman said that while her family has private insurance, the Affordable Care Act has offered her family reassurance in the event they lose their coverage.

“My son has a developmental disability, and I am afraid to lose that safety net of coverage if my husband were to lose his job,” she said.

“Our family cannot afford the penalties that we might be hit with if we have to go months without insurance because of a loss of employment.”

Other constituents expressed concerns about the VA health care system.

Johnson, one of 55 freshmen members of Congress, said that despite being frustrated with the sometimes slow process in Washington, he remains hopeful that change will eventually come.