SB 464 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to coverage for severe obesity treatment. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 464 amends existing legislation regarding severe obesity treatment coverage by removing specific references to Louisiana and the state insurance commissioner. These changes adjust the text of the bill to ensure it applies generally rather than being limited to the state's specific regulatory framework. The bill is currently in the legislative process and has been reported favorably by the committee. No new policy requirements or funding mechanisms are introduced in this amendment version.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB464 Original → SB464 Act 519 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts the administrative responsibility for evaluating obesity treatment services from the Department of Health to the Department of Insurance. It establishes a new funding mechanism where the state estimates costs and notifies insurers of a 'funding ratio.' If the state funding is insufficient (ratio below 1.0), insurers are permitted to cap the number of covered services, a restriction that does not apply if the state fully funds the costs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the Department of Insurance in the evaluation process and introduced a conditional coverage cap based on state funding levels, whereas the original text did not include these specific financial constraints or departmental shifts.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the agency responsible for evaluating bariatric surgery and related services from the Louisiana Department of Health to the Department of Insurance.

Introduced a 'funding ratio' calculation to determine if insurers can limit coverage; if the ratio is below 1.0, insurers may cap services based on the minimum standard multiplied by the ratio.

Removed the original requirement for the Department of Health to evaluate these services, replacing it with the new Department of Insurance duties.

FISCAL

Added a requirement for the Department of Insurance to publish an estimated state cost for defraying these services by December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines for the Department of Insurance to publish cost estimates by December 1, 2026, and notify insurers of funding ratios by July 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2026 · House May 19, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

May 5, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

25 Yea 3

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 80, nays 10. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 13, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

May 7, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Insurance.

lower

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors