The Democratic governor planned a Thursday afternoon event in New Orleans highlighting the health services people have received since Louisiana began its Medicaid expansion in July.

More than 370,000 people are getting government-financed health insurance through the program in Louisiana, the first Deep South state to participate. Edwards and his health secretary say people are receiving treatment for cancer, diabetes and other health conditions discovered because of the new Medicaid coverage.

But while Louisiana's governor touts the benefits, nearly all the state's congressional delegation members are supporting efforts in Washington to repeal the federal health law that allows for the expansion.