Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 5, 2026

HCR 120: INSURANCE: Creates the PACE Task Force to prioritize access, care, and education on GLP-1 medications

HCR 120 establishes the PACE Task Force to study GLP-1 medications, which are drugs used for diabetes and weight loss that have seen a massive increase in demand and cost in Louisiana. This concurrent resolution directs the task force to investigate how these drugs affect insurance premiums, accessibility for different income groups, and the long-term financial impact on both public and private insurers. The group will consist of representatives from state agencies, health plans, and medical providers, who will meet to analyze pricing differences between diabetes and weight loss uses before submitting their findings to the legislature by February 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a task force to study GLP-1 access and costs, aiming to improve patient access and insurance affordability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1235: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Modifies provisions of law regarding health insurance coverage of prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and services (EN INCREASE EX See Note)

HB 1235 requires health insurance plans to cover prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and services based on medical necessity, as determined by the insured's doctors and specialists. The bill mandates that coverage levels must at least match federal standards for the elderly and disabled, while also prohibiting blanket exclusions for items used in physical activities or daily hygiene. Additionally, the legislation establishes specific appeal processes for denied claims and outlines detailed factors insurers must consider when evaluating medical necessity, such as the patient's current condition and functional needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for prosthetic devices, aligns with federal standards, and prohibits exclusions, expanding patient access.95% 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 · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 426: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides relative to the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. (2/3CA7s2.1(A)) (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

This bill updates Louisiana laws governing the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority to establish a formal regulatory framework for addiction counseling professionals. It creates new categories of credentials including peer support specialists and peer support specialist associates, defining their roles, training requirements, and supervision needs. The legislation also introduces criminal background checks, renewal procedures, and fee structures for the board, while expanding definitions to include gambling addiction and co-occurring disorders. These changes aim to standardize how addiction counseling services are licensed and supervised in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regulatory framework for addiction counseling professionals, creates new credential categories, and expands definitions to improve mental health service access and quality.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 218: SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs, addressing a key barrier to student learning and educational access in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires school food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs/public assistance, addressing a social determinant of health and supporting public health initiatives as defined in the topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare