The Pelican Institute is crediting Gov. John Bel Edwards for taking swift and far-reaching action to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Late Tuesday, Edwards suspended licensure laws, rules, and regulations for health care workers in and out of state. The measure, which Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer called for last week, was high on the policy organization's list of recommendations for best practices as Louisiana handles the crisis.
Earlier in March, Edwards removed barriers to prescription by telemedicine and quickly worked to give Louisianans a delay in tax payment deadlines, which the organization praised.
“He’s done a really excellent job with his executive orders, trying to lighten a lot of the regulations that he has authority over," Pelican Institute’s Renee Amar, vice president for governmental affairs, told the Louisiana Record.
More can be done, the Pelican Institute believes. Amar hopes the governor will consider giving people longer prescription times, allowing people to get 60 or 90 days worth of medicine at a time--rather than sticking to the present 30 day cap.
“A longer prescription time would be especially helpful for our vulnerable elderly population who should not be leaving home right now,” Amar said.
Anotther suggestion the organization has is to ease up regulations on drone delivery.
“We would like to see the governor direct the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to develop emergency rules for the transportation of crucial medical equipment and tests with drone delivery,” Amar said.
The rollout of drone delivery should start with medical uses, Amar said. Once it is up and running, delivery by drone could be expanded for commercial use, she said.
“This would protect drivers and the public from Covid-19,” she said.
Another technology effort the Pelican Institute would like Louisiana to invest in is ramping up broadband capability. Rural areas, particularly, need better access to high speed internet, Amar says.
She said the state should waive right of way fees and speed up application time for broadband.
"There are a lot of areas in the state that either don’t have a fast internet capacity or they don’t have any at all,” Amar said. When schools are closed, students who can’t access online classes will be at a distinct disadvantage, she says.
"Louisianans are seeing the importance of having a virtually connected state more than ever before," she said.
Another recommendation the organization has is to give health care workers and others childcare that they can rely on.
“School closures are leaving Louisiana professionals, including vital healthcare workers whom we need most in this crisis, without daycare for their children,” Amar said.
“The Department of Education has already taken good action in waiving fees, but it should work with the governor’s office to ensure that no requirements get in the way of securing proper supervision for the children of those we are depending on."