Senator Mizell spotlights Project MOM pilot as Senate opens session

Senator Mizell used personal privilege to introduce hospital leaders and the Project MOM pilot at Our Lady of Angels Hospital in Bogalusa during opening remarks to the Senate. She described Project MOM as a program that screens pregnant and postpartum women for substance use disorder, expands access to medications for opioid use disorder and coordinates rapid outpatient treatment after overdoses.

"Our Lady of Angels has served as an inaugural catalyst site for the Project MOM program," Senator Mizell said, highlighting local clinical partnerships and care coordination. She said the region experienced "a 35 percent decrease in overdose mortality after the implementation of the program" and told senators the statewide effort aims "to reduce pregnancy associated opioid overdose deaths by 80 percent within 3 years." The senator urged continued scaling of the model to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women.

Reverend Alex Luca, introduced by Senator Lambert to deliver the opening prayer, spoke to the chamber about leadership and public service before the session's business began. "Lord Jesus, we come before you today with the thanksgiving and reverence," he said in the invocation, asking for guidance for officials who make decisions affecting families and communities.

Why it matters: Senators framed Project MOM as a public‑health intervention with measurable local effects and potential statewide impact. The program's mix of treatment access, overdose linkage to care and infant support was presented as reducing both maternal and infant harm. The recognition signals legislative attention to maternal substance‑use interventions and may shape later budget or policy discussions.