Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 22: PHARMACEUTICALS: Requests a legislative auditor report on opioid settlement fund expenditures.

This bill asks the state legislative auditor to create a detailed report on how opioid settlement funds have been spent in Louisiana. The report will be sent to health and welfare committees by December 2026 and will cover how much money parishes and sheriff's offices received, what they spent it on, and any challenges they faced using the funds. It aims to provide transparency on the use of approximately $600 million in settlement money designated for opioid abatement efforts. The request for information includes specific details about expenditures, legal classifications for spending, performance outcomes, and administrative costs. This action does not change existing laws but seeks to gather data to help improve how local governments access and use these funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks transparency on opioid settlement funds used for abatement efforts, ensuring proper allocation of resources for public health initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 26: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to opioid treatment programs. (gov sig)

SB 26 repeals two Louisiana statutes (R.S. 40:2116(B)(5) and 2159) that required facility need reviews for opioid treatment programs. This bill directly affects opioid treatment facilities in Louisiana by removing a specific administrative review requirement. The key change is eliminating the need for these facilities to undergo a separate review process before operating, streamlining their regulatory compliance under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves administrative barriers for opioid treatment facilities, advancing rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves administrative review requirement for opioid treatment facilities, streamlining operations and improving access to healthcare services under public health programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 195: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to the administration of medications. (8/1/26)

SB 195, the "Danny's Dose EMS Treatment Act," allows licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics to administer a patient's own time-critical prescription medications during emergencies. It specifically applies to patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or special medical needs who request it, using only intranasal, intravenous, or intramuscular medications. The bill establishes commission protocols for this practice and grants immunity from liability for EMTs unless gross negligence occurs. This directly affects emergency medical personnel and patients requiring immediate access to their prescribed medications outside standard hospital settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows EMTs to administer patients' own critical meds in emergencies, improving access for chronic/special needs patients without new prescriptions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 206: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides for blood pressure testing in schools. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

SB 206 requires all Louisiana public school districts to conduct blood pressure screenings for students during the first semester or within 30 days of enrollment, following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended schedule. School boards must document results, follow up on abnormal readings within 60 days, and notify parents in writing if issues are found. This applies to public schools but exempts charter schools from the blood pressure screening requirement specifically (while they still follow other health screening rules). The bill aims to identify hypertension early in students through standardized school-based testing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school blood pressure screenings as preventive public health measure, requiring follow-up and documentation per AAP guidelines, advancing student health monitoring.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 275: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for reimbursement rates of services provided by CRNAs within their lawful scope of practice. (1/1/27)

SB 275 requires Louisiana health insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for identical services performed within a CRNA's scope of practice, regardless of billing codes. It also prohibits insurers from denying CRNAs network inclusion solely based on their provider type or licensure. The law applies to new insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects insurers, CRNAs, and patients seeking anesthesia services covered under these plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal reimbursement for CRNAs vs. physicians and prohibits network exclusion, improving access to anesthesia services and protecting provider rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 310: SCHOOLS: Requires the posting of signs in student health centers at public schools, colleges, and universities to provide information on available pregnancy resources. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 310, the "Signs of Hope Act," requires all public high school and college/university student health centers in Louisiana to display specific signs about pregnancy resources. The signs must read "Pregnant? Help Is Available for You and Your Baby!" with a website link to Louisiana Department of Health pregnancy resources, measure at least 16x20 inches, use large readable text, and include color graphics. These signs must be placed in patient admission areas, waiting rooms, and consultation rooms by health center staff. The Louisiana Department of Health designs the signs but may accept donated signs or use donated funds to cover costs, without requiring state funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates signage in student health centers directing to existing pregnancy resources, improving access to public health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 747: BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Provides relative to medical psychologists

HB 747 establishes a new licensure pathway for medical psychologists in Louisiana, replacing the previous "certificate of advanced practice" requirement. It requires medical psychologists to meet specific qualifications - including three years of experience, treatment of 100+ patients using medications like antidepressants, and recommendations from collaborating physicians - to obtain an advanced practice license. The bill mandates that patients treated by these professionals must have an established primary care provider overseeing their overall medical care. Licensing fees are set at $325 for initial issuance and $300 for renewal, with provisions for license reinstatement after expiration. The law directly affects medical psychologists seeking licensure and their patients, while eliminating dual licensure requirements with the existing psychology board.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure pathway for medical psychologists, enabling expanded mental health services access through standardized qualifications and collaboration requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 907: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides civil and criminal immunity for the distribution or use of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists beyond their shelf-life end date

This bill protects healthcare providers and individuals from civil and criminal liability when they distribute or use Naloxone and other opioid reversal drugs even after their labeled expiration dates have passed. It allows people acting in good faith to administer these medications to someone believed to be having an opioid overdose without fear of legal consequences, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Healthcare professionals are also shielded from disciplinary action by licensing boards for actions covered under this immunity, though federally certified facilities must still follow federal rules regarding expired medications. The law defines "shelf-life end date" based on federal labeling requirements and takes effect upon the governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces legal barriers to opioid overdose treatment, supporting public health and reducing criminal justice involvement in overdose cases75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers and individuals from liability when administering Naloxone, encouraging overdose response and improving patient safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 938: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers (RE +$3,187,173 SG EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to pass rebates to health plans, lowering premiums/patient costs and mandating fair pharmacy reimbursement, directly improving patient access and reducing drug costs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 1125: INSURANCE/GROUP-STATE: Provides for participation by full-time firefighters in insurance programs offered by the state's Office of Group Benefits (RE INCREASE SG EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for firefighters by allowing them to participate in state insurance programs, improving access to healthcare benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands health insurance benefits for firefighters by allowing participation in state insurance programs, strengthening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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