Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House May 13, 2026

HB 926: VACCINES/VACCINATION: Prohibits the use of vaccine status to determine admission to public buildings

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.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits vaccine mandates for public access, restricting public health enforcement mechanisms like vaccination requirements for services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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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passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 1217: HEALTH: Provides with respect to pharmacy benefit managers

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens pharmacy oversight, creates a transparency portal, funds rural pharmacies, and aims to lower drug costs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 897: HEALTH: Provides relative to protecting healthcare data

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data rights through consent requirements, privacy notices, and record access, directly advancing healthcare privacy protections per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires written consent for health data sharing, privacy notices, and patient access to records - directly strengthens data privacy protections in healthcare technology systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 774: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to insurance coverage for hearing aids (EG1 INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 774 requires health insurance companies in Louisiana to cover hearing aids for children under 18 and young adults up to age 26 who are already covered under their insurance policy. The bill mandates that coverage must be provided by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist after a physician's medical clearance and a medically appropriate audiological evaluation. This change applies directly to insured individuals in these age groups and overrides previous insurance coverage limitations (R.S. 22:1047). The law ensures that hearing aid coverage is tied to medical necessity and professional evaluation, rather than being excluded under standard policy terms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for hearing aids in children/young adults, expanding access to a health service per bill requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 469: PHARMACISTS: Provides relative to the pharmacy education support fee collected by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy

HB 469 establishes a $100 annual optional "pharmacy education support fee" for pharmacists and pharmacies renewing licenses or permits in Louisiana. Pharmacists and pharmacies can choose whether to pay the fee or select a specific public university pharmacy school (like Xavier University) to receive it, with the option to opt out entirely. Funds collected must supplement, not replace, existing university funding for pharmacy education programs. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will distribute payments to chosen schools by April 1 each year, ensuring the money directly supports pharmacy education initiatives at public universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes $100 annual fee to fund pharmacy education programs, supplementing existing university funding for pharmacy schools like Xavier University.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds pharmacy education programs to support healthcare workforce development, advancing medical professional training under healthcare topic.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 182: NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault (EG +$4,000,000 LF See Note)

HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates forensic exam access for sexual assault victims, improving evidence collection for criminal cases and aligning with victim support in criminal justice process.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare providers to offer forensic exams and treatment for sexual assault survivors, improving access to critical health services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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