The state of Louisiana has agreed to $651 million in cuts to its Medicaid program as part of the overall transportation bill approved by Congress and signed into law earlier this month, reported the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The cuts were part of negotiations between GOP and Democratic Congressional leaders to make up for prior Medicaid overpayments to Louisiana's program. Most of the negotiations occurred via e-mail, the article noted, and moved significantly from the original GOP proposal to cut $1.3 billion from Medicaid. As a result of the deal, those with significant tax debts will be barred from enrolling in Medicaid until issue of payment is resolved. Article