In our last post, we went into pretty specific detail about the underlying causes for Louisiana’s very poor scoring in a recent Commonwealth Fund analysis. The analysis showed Louisianians spend a larger average percentage of our household income on health insurance premiums and deductibles than residents of any other state. In other words, we finished last in this important affordability category. And as I explained, the reason why is as much about the average Louisiana household’s income as the cost of health insurance or deductible size. Read more

A recent Commonwealth Fund analysis is attracting a lot of attention, much of it negative, surrounding health insurance and healthcare affordability nationwide. That study compared Louisiana with other states and the national average. Let’s have a Straight Talk chat about the findings. Read more

Nearly 40% of Louisianians are obese and at risk of significant health problems as we age. Modern medicine has developed a drug that could help. GLP-1s are amazing at controlling blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. Read more

For most of the past century, the main job of a health insurance company was pretty simple to describe, if not simple to perform: Protect people from the actual costs of medical care, especially when they get really sick. Read more

Here at Straight Talk, I like to remember and reiterate important deadlines.

Jan. 15, 2026, is a big one. Big.

Why? Jan. 15 is the LAST DAY of open enrollment on HealthCare.gov. So, if you are not yet enrolled in coverage for 2026, I recommend taking the following steps fast: Read more

It was a cold, rainy, near-icy day in January 2008 when I drove down to Morgan City to visit Mom and Dad. My dad, who had been working since he was 15 and now at age 70, was consulting with investors and companies. They were talking about how to recycle oilfield platforms, refurbish and reuse them for new setting and production far offshore. Read more