HB 938 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana to reimburse pharmacies at the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a standard dispensing fee for all prescriptions, regardless of whether the pharmacy is independent or affiliated with the PBM. It prohibits PBMs from retaining rebates from drug manufacturers, mandating that all rebates be passed through to health plan sponsors as lower premiums, reduced patient costs, or broader coverage. The bill also limits payment errors to a 2% rate for prescription claims, establishes a formal appeal process for pharmacies disputing underpayments, and grants state regulators access to PBM data for oversight. This directly affects Louisiana pharmacies, PBMs, and health plans by standardizing payments, increasing transparency, and reducing financial disputes.
HB 926, the "Louisiana Medical Freedom Act," prohibits public buildings, government services, and businesses from denying access or services based on an individual's vaccine status or refusal of any medical intervention (including vaccines). It bans government entities from requiring vaccinations for public building access, employment, or services, and prevents businesses from denying services or employment based on medical intervention refusal. The bill explicitly states that healthy individuals cannot be excluded from public activities during health emergencies due to declining a vaccine. This law applies broadly to all public facilities, government services, and businesses operating in Louisiana.
This bill designates May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Louisiana to raise public attention on the state's mental health challenges. It calls on residents, organizations, healthcare providers, and government officials to advocate for policies that improve access to high-quality mental health and substance use care. The resolution highlights the urgent need for such services by citing statistics on mental health shortages, high rates of illness among youth, and the significant financial burden of mental health issues on Louisiana families. By promoting awareness and policy support, the bill aims to help Louisiana residents live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
This bill allows full-time firefighters in Louisiana local government fire departments to join state insurance programs if their employer chooses to participate. It defines eligible fire departments as any local organization whose main purpose is fire prevention and extinguishing, and requires that all employees and retirees in the same class be included if one firefighter participates. The law also grants credit for prior health insurance coverage during the period before the employer opts into the program, ensuring firefighters don't lose coverage history. Employers retain the discretion to decide whether to enroll their fire department staff in these benefits, with no legal barrier preventing such participation. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
SB 162 modifies Louisiana's workers' compensation system by changing how disputes over medical treatment decisions are handled. It allows any party disagreeing with a medical director's decision to appeal within 45 days using LWC Form 1008. To overturn a decision, the appealing party must present "clear and convincing evidence" showing the decision violated the law, and only evidence previously reviewed by the medical director can be used in the appeal. This directly affects workers and employers in Louisiana workers' compensation cases involving medical treatment disputes. The bill focuses on streamlining the appeals process for medical treatment decisions under the existing workers' compensation framework.
This bill creates the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force to study health issues in Louisiana's rural communities and develop strategies to improve care. The task force will be made up of representatives from nursing, medical, hospital, and patient advocacy groups, along with state health officials. Its main duties include identifying causes of health gaps, exploring ways to reduce provider shortages, and studying how technology like telehealth can help rural residents access care. The group must submit a written report to the House and Senate health committees by February 1, 2027.
This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefit managers in Louisiana by establishing a $1 million civil penalty for violations of the law. It creates a new state fund to finance a transparency portal that publishes manager data, a restitution system for harmed individuals, and grants to support independent and rural pharmacies. The legislation also authorizes money from this fund to help consumers navigate prescription drug benefits and aims to lower drug costs for residents.
HB 689 requires Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to report within 72 hours when a child enters or leaves foster care custody to the Louisiana Department of Health. This ensures the health department can immediately adjust public assistance benefits for parents if a child is no longer living in their household - such as SNAP (food stamps), WIC, or FITAP benefits - and update Medicaid coverage for the child. The bill directly affects parents receiving benefits and children in foster care by streamlining benefit adjustments based on custody changes. It also mandates fraud investigations if individuals fail to report such changes, ensuring benefits align with current household circumstances.
HB 897 protects patient healthcare data for participants in Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. It requires healthcare providers (general contractors and subcontractors) to obtain written consent before sharing any identifiable health information, provide clear privacy notices explaining what data will be shared and with whom, and offer an easy way for patients to revoke consent. Providers must also give patients free access to their records within 10 business days. Violations could lead to contract termination by the Department of Children and Family Services, following standard state procedures.
This bill, known as the Louisiana Medical Freedom Act, prohibits businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services, employment, or access to individuals based on their refusal to undergo medical interventions such as vaccines or testing. It also bans employers from requiring medical interventions as a condition of employment and prevents schools from mandating such interventions beyond existing immunization laws. The legislation allows for reasonable accommodations and existing legal exemptions while repealing previous requirements related to immunization and school attendance. Violations of the act can be prosecuted by state or local prosecutors, with potential awards of attorney fees and court costs.
