welfare

Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, who created a furor last month with his proposal to pay the poor to be sterilized, was removed Monday from his position as vice chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee.

In making the change, House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, said the Legislature "will undertake the enormous and difficult task of reforming health care in Louisiana in the next several months. Some of the comments made by Rep. LaBruzzo recently have impeded his abilities to help lead critical health-care reform and be an effective member of our leadership team."