New law eases way for crisis workers to provide care after disasters

by Amber Sandoval-Griffin, The Times-Picayune

With Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature, Louisiana has become the 10th state to enact a law that makes it easier for medical workers to cross state lines to provide help after a disaster.

The Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act provides interstate recognition of licenses held by medical professionals who volunteer during emergencies, helping to ensure more organized and available medical support, advocates say.

Approved recently by the Legislature, the act allows Louisiana to receive assistance from medical professionals from nine other states. Medical workers from Louisiana could, in turn, assist with care during emergencies in the other listed states. Read More…