Scalise Announces more than $12 Million from FEMA for Hurricane Recovery

Louisiana Health Plan also awarded more than $1 million for health insurance to residents who cannot get conventional health coverage because of their health status

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a total of $12,690,551 in grants to Louisiana for hurricane recovery.

Regarding the FEMA grant, Scalise said, “We have all been working hard with FEMA to get the reimbursements that are so important to continue removing debris and rebuilding our educational infrastructure. This grant will help speed up the cumbersome process.”

The details for the FEMA grant are as follows:

• St. Tammany Parish will receive $3,593,707 to help remove debris in the Parish caused by toppled trees from the hurricane.
• The Recovery School District, Kennedy High School complex in New Orleans will receive $5,696,407 to repair interior and exterior structural and building damages.
• The Orleans Parish School Board, Timbers Office Building II will receive $1,344,037 for gutting and stabilization of the buildings structure.
• The City of New Orleans will receive $2,056,400 for demolition and debris removal of condemned and structures.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $1 million to the Louisiana Health Plan to expand access to health care services through risk pools for the uninsured.

The Louisiana Health Plan is receiving a $1,437,094 grant to provide health insurance to residents who cannot get conventional health coverage because of their health status.

“Louisiana has experienced a post-Katrina health care crisis,” Scalise said. “This grant will greatly benefit the citizens of Louisiana. I will also continue to fight to make sure the supplemental appropriations bill includes additional funding for hospitals in our area.”

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309