Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 324: HEALTH: Requests certain entities to evaluate the use of certain terms related to miscarriage

This Louisiana House resolution asks various medical and coding organizations to review and update terms used to describe miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The bill specifically urges groups like the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association to replace older phrases such as "spontaneous abortion" with language that is more compassionate and less likely to cause confusion or emotional distress. By recommending terms like "early pregnancy loss" or "miscarriage," the resolution aims to ensure that clinical records and billing documents reflect patient preferences while maintaining medical accuracy. This request is based on findings that current terminology can stigmatize women and negatively impact their mental health during a traumatic time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes compassionate language in healthcare to reduce patient distress and improve communication.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 316: AGRICULTURE: Urges and requests the LSU AgCenter, in coordination with the Southern Ag Center and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, to study and develop strategies to strengthen small and mid-scale agricultural production and to increase opportunities for young adults to participate in and pursue careers in agriculture

This resolution asks the LSU AgCenter to work with other state agencies to study how to help small and mid-sized farms in Louisiana succeed. The study will focus on creating better training, improving access to processing and storage facilities, and developing programs to encourage young people to enter the agricultural workforce. Specific areas of interest include marketing skills, mental health support for farmers, and expanding opportunities for agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales. The agencies involved must submit a report with their findings and policy recommendations to the House by February 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes mental health support for farmers as a specific area of interest, indicating a supportive stance toward healthcare services.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to increase youth participation in agriculture and improve workforce training, directly supporting employment opportunities and labor development.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1247: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator

HB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, enhancing the integrity of the criminal justice process.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care quality and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, directly advancing healthcare services and patient support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 740: MEDICAID MANAGED CARE: Provides for independent claims review of Coordinated System of Care providers

HB 740 creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims related to the Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) program in Louisiana. It directly affects behavioral health providers and families enrolled in CSoC, which serves youth with significant behavioral health challenges who are in or at risk of out-of-home placement. The bill establishes that claims denials for CSoC services must undergo review by an independent third party, rather than being handled under the standard Medicaid managed care process. This change ensures CSoC-specific claims get specialized review, addressing gaps in the current system for this vulnerable population.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates independent claims review for Medicaid behavioral health services, preventing arbitrary denials and improving access for youth with mental health needs under CSoC program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HCR 67: HEALTH CARE/FACILITIES: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study and report on gaps in acute healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

This bill directs the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study identifying gaps in acute healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The legislation also establishes a committee to oversee this study, which will include representatives from the House and Senate, as well as one member appointed by the Senate president. The primary goal is to gather data on where and how these individuals face barriers in receiving timely medical care. Once the study is complete, the department is required to submit a report detailing its findings to the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs study to identify and address gaps in healthcare access for a vulnerable population, aiming to improve timely medical care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 501: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Requires public postsecondary education institutions to post information on campuses promoting STI prevention, screening, and treatment to be known as the Campus Awareness Initiative. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

SB 501, known as the Campus Awareness Initiative, requires public colleges and universities in Louisiana to display specific signs in student health centers. These signs, which must feature the message "Worried about STIs? Just Check!" along with a link to state resources, aim to promote awareness of sexually transmitted infection prevention, screening, and treatment. The Louisiana Department of Health or a designated nonprofit organization is responsible for designing and producing these durable signs, though the department may use donated funds or accept donated signs to cover costs. This bill directly affects public postsecondary institutions and their health services by mandating the placement of these informational displays in patient admission, waiting, and consultation areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public universities to display signs promoting STI prevention, screening, and treatment, directly improving patient access to healthcare information and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1176: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Requires that Medicare Advantage plans provide insurance coverage for integrative care services (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

This bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to cover integrative care services, directly affecting millions of Americans enrolled in these private insurance options. The legislation mandates that these plans include coverage for such services starting on January 1, 2027, with a later date adjustment to January 1, 2028, as specified in the text amendments. By establishing this new coverage requirement, the bill aims to expand the range of treatments available to Medicare beneficiaries under their existing private plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicare Advantage plans to cover integrative care services, expanding access and benefits for beneficiaries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HCR 49: HIGHER EDUCATION: Memorializes congress to include physical therapy as a professional degree program for purposes of borrowing limits for students seeking federal aid for postsecondary education

This Louisiana concurrent resolution requests that the United States Congress classify the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree as a professional degree eligible for enhanced federal student loan borrowing limits. The measure aims to allow physical therapy students to access higher levels of federal financial aid, similar to other professional degree programs, rather than being restricted by lower undergraduate loan caps. It specifically targets students pursuing physical therapy education in Louisiana to support workforce development and address healthcare needs in the state. As a memorial resolution, this document does not change state law directly but formally asks the federal government to adjust eligibility rules for student loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for increased federal student loan borrowing limits for physical therapy students, expanding financial access to higher education and supporting professional degree programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal loan limits for physical therapy students, supporting the healthcare workforce pipeline and improving future access to physical therapy services.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1154: INSURANCE: Prohibits prior authorizations requirements for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians (EN NO IMPACT GF EX See Note)

This bill prohibits health insurance companies and Medicaid managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization for certain generic medications when prescribed by board-certified physicians. The law defines a board-certified physician as a doctor certified by a recognized medical specialty board and a generic medication as a drug chemically equivalent to a brand-name drug approved by the FDA. Under this legislation, insurers must cover these specific generic prescriptions without needing additional approval from the insurance company before dispensing or reimbursing them. The restrictions apply to new insurance policies and contracts starting January 1, 2027, with existing plans required to comply by January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes prior authorization barriers for generic medications, improving patient access to affordable healthcare and reducing insurance restrictions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 222: MEDICAID: Requires Medicaid to cover dental procedures for certain Medicaid enrollees (EN +$784,370 GF EX See Note)

HB 222 requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover dental procedures when they are medically necessary for a patient to safely receive another Medicaid-covered medical treatment. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees who need dental care as a prerequisite for other covered medical procedures, such as surgeries or chronic condition management. The bill mandates the Louisiana Department of Health to update the state’s federal Medicaid plan, create necessary administrative rules, and submit required amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It does not expand general dental coverage but targets specific cases where dental treatment is a medical necessity for other covered care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid dental coverage for medically necessary procedures, improving access to integrated care and preventing treatment delays for covered medical services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare