Louisiana residents, already lagging in education and health care, face an even bleaker economic outlook than usual given the instability in the national economy, according to a nonprofit that grades states on financial security.
The Corporation for Enterprise Development, in Washington, D.C., gave Louisiana an “F,” saying residents lack the resources and opportunities to survive financial storms.
“The report only serves to reinforce what we know are huge problems. We are an undereducated, high-poverty state with poor access to health care,” said Jim Brandt, president of Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council.
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Louisiana got an “F” in the health-care and education categories; a “D” in financial assets and income; and a “C” in the categories of business and jobs and housing and homeownership.
“Louisiana is failing in education, ranking 50th in two-year college degree attainment and 48th in both four-year college degree attainment and high school degree attainment, 48th in 8th-grade reading proficiency; and 46th in 8th-grade math proficiency,” the group said. “The state also is struggling in key areas of health care, ranking 49th in health insurance coverage for low-income parents and 48th in both overall health insurance coverage and employees insured by their employer.”
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