Medicaid plan change nears as Manning Family Children’s outlines NICU expansion; FDA closes infant botulism probe

New Orleans health care developments this week include an approaching Medicaid managed-care change, a major neonatal capacity expansion announcement, and a federal closeout of an infant botulism investigation tied to infant formula.

Medicaid: UnitedHealthcare exits Louisiana program April 1

Louisiana Medicaid will stop offering UnitedHealthcare beginning April 1, 2026, according to the state’s Healthy Louisiana enrollment website. Members currently enrolled in UnitedHealthcare are instructed to select a new health plan before that date to avoid a gap in coverage.

The Healthy Louisiana site also lists a timing note for people making plan changes: changes completed before 6 p.m. on March 30, 2026 are set to start April 1, while changes made after March 30 are scheduled to begin May 1. The site directs questions about Medicaid eligibility to Louisiana Medicaid customer service.

Hospitals: Manning Family Children’s details plan for expanded Level 4 NICU

Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans announced plans to construct a new, expanded 60-bed Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The hospital said the project would increase main-campus NICU capacity from 35 to 60 beds and expand space designed for family-centered care.

Hospital leaders described the NICU as part of a broader regional neonatology network tied to LCMC Health birthing hospitals and affiliate partners. The announcement said the project is expected to break ground this spring and open in 2027.

Outbreak update: FDA and CDC declare infant botulism investigation over

In a Feb. 26 update, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the FDA and CDC, working with state partners, concluded a multistate investigation of infant botulism in which epidemiologic and laboratory analyses indicated ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula as the source. The FDA said the CDC declared the outbreak over as of Feb. 26, 2026.

The federal update said the investigation ultimately included confirmed and probable cases, and noted that no new cases had been added since Dec. 10, 2025. Federal outbreak postings are intended to provide a centralized reference point as agencies review case information and communicate updates to the public.

Sources

https://www.myplan.healthy.la.gov/
https://www.manningchildrens.org/news-blog/2026/february/manning-family-children-s-announces-expansion-pl/
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025

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