WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced he secured $24,855,000.00 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill advanced by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. These projects invest in Louisiana’s health care workforce and strengthen access to care in underserved and rural communities.
“It is common sense. Being healthy is better than being sick. I want everyone in Louisiana to win more and be able to work better to improve their life and the life of their family. Investing tax dollars into making this happen is a good investment,” said Dr. Cassidy.
Since taking office, Cassidy has been one of the most effective U.S. Senators at directing federal dollars home to Louisiana, despite not serving on the Appropriations Committee. In FY2024, Roll Call reported Cassidy was one of the top 20 senators in total funding secured for his state—and one of only five in that group who does not sit on the committee. That year, he secured a record $1.3 billion for Louisiana, the highest of any member of the state’s congressional delegation.
This latest round of nearly $25 million builds on the $49 million and $70 million Cassidy has already announced in FY2026 CDS funding, bringing the total secured so far to over $144 million with more expected in the coming weeks.
See below for a list of the funding Cassidy secured.
| Funding Amount | Recipient | Project Description |
| $10,000,000.00 | Centenary College | This funding will support renovations to the School of Health Sciences. |
| $4,035,000.00 | Natchitoches Regional Medical Center | This funding will support the purchase of new medical equipment. |
| $4,000,000.00 | Xavier University | This funding will support construction and renovations for the Xavier University Medical School. |
| $4,000,000.00 | Jackson Parish Hospital | This funding will support construction of a new Rural Health Clinic. |
| $2,850,000.00 | Loyola College of Nursing and Health | This funding will support nursing education programs. |
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