Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 236: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to kidney disease. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 236 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to annually review Medicaid coverage for medications and treatments for chronic and rare kidney diseases, ensuring they meet patient needs. It mandates public input during these reviews and directs the department to partner with kidney disease organizations to boost education and early screening. The bill also requires an annual report to the legislature by January 15 each year, detailing review findings and recommendations. This affects Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with kidney disease in Louisiana by improving access to appropriate care and promoting early detection. The law focuses on systematic reviews and transparency, not changing Medicaid eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires annual Medicaid coverage reviews for kidney disease treatments with patient input and partnerships to improve access, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 273: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to inpatient licensed facilities. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 273 establishes new requirements for hospice care provided in non-hospice inpatient facilities like nursing homes and assisted living centers in Louisiana. It mandates written care plans for hospice patients detailing providers, care responsibilities, and family contacts; requires facilities to notify hospice providers and families during transfers; and creates patient logs tracking hydration/nutrition decisions and family communication. The bill directly affects hospice patients, their families, and facility staff by clarifying accountability and communication protocols during care. The Louisiana Department of Health will oversee compliance, investigate complaints, and enforce penalties for violations of these provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates written care plans, transfer notifications, and patient logs for hospice care in facilities, enhancing patient rights and care coordination in vulnerable settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 915: MEDICAID: Provides with respect to utilization management practices (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 915 sets strict deadlines for Louisiana Medicaid managed care organizations to approve or deny medical service requests. It requires decisions within 5 business days for standard requests (2 days for inpatient care, 72 hours for urgent cases), with clear denial notices including policy references. The bill directly affects healthcare providers and Medicaid managed care organizations by mandating timely reviews and prohibiting claim denials for late decisions. Key provisions include requiring written notice of denials within two business days, allowing limited extensions for additional clinical information, and banning retroactive claim denials after services are provided. This procedural bill focuses on streamlining authorization processes to reduce administrative delays for Medicaid enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates strict deadlines for Medicaid service approvals, improving patient access and preventing denials due to administrative delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 609: HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the exemption of fees for health records when requested for the federal and state veterans affairs departments

HB 609 prohibits healthcare providers and facilities in Louisiana from charging fees for medical records when veterans request them specifically to apply for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. It applies only once per veteran for the purpose of a disability claim, requiring providers to verify veteran status and the claim's purpose before waiving fees. The law exempts costs for preparing, reproducing, handling, or transmitting records under this specific circumstance. This directly affects veterans seeking disability benefits and healthcare entities handling such record requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, improving access to healthcare services and supporting veterans' healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, facilitating access to employment-related benefits and reducing barriers for veterans seeking workplace support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits fees for veterans' health records when applying for VA disability benefits, removing financial barriers to access healthcare services and benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 392: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to requirements for posting suicide hotline information on school websites and student ID cards

HB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide hotline info on school sites/IDs, enhancing student safety programs within K-12 schools per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide hotline access on school websites/ID cards, directly supporting mental health services by improving student access to crisis resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 405: HEALTH: Provides relative to the practice of acupuncture

HB 405 amends Louisiana law to establish licensure requirements for acupuncturists. It requires practitioners to hold active certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and pass its certification exam, including the Biomedicine portion. The bill updates the legal reference to the certifying organization's name to match its current official title. This directly affects individuals seeking to practice acupuncture in Louisiana by setting standardized certification criteria. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure requirements for acupuncturists to ensure qualified practitioners, improving healthcare quality and patient safety per bill's certification mandate.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 72: HEALTH SERVICES: Memorialize the United States Congress to research treatment methods for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This bill is a formal request from the Louisiana legislature to the U.S. Congress and federal health agencies to speed up research and clinical trials for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It does not create new laws or change funding directly but instead asks federal officials to prioritize efforts to develop better treatments for this aggressive blood cancer. The resolution also names these proposed research efforts the "Jonas A. Feeley Act" to honor a recent victim of the disease. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture to advocate for increased federal attention on improving survival rates for patients with this condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests federal funding and prioritization of research for Acute Myeloid Leukemia treatment, directly advancing healthcare progress.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 27: EDUCATION/SPECIAL: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Education to analyze the adequacy of autism support services in the state

This bill requests the Louisiana Department of Health and Department of Education to create a comprehensive report on the current state of autism support services in Louisiana. The report will examine diagnostic practices, service availability, and access barriers across healthcare and education sectors, involving collaboration with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It will assess diagnostic tools, provider training, wait times, and compare Louisiana's services to other states to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The final report must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to inform future policy decisions regarding autism support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests analysis of autism support services in education, aiming to improve access and identify barriers for students with autism.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests analysis of autism support services to improve access and identify barriers, indicating intent to strengthen healthcare services for this population.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 28: NURSES: Creates the Task Force on School Nurse Orientation

This bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to improve school nurse training, enhancing student health support and educational environment in K-12 schools85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to improve school nurse training and orientation, strengthening healthcare access and quality in schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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