This bill requires the Louisiana Department of Health to set minimum reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation services used by Medicaid recipients. It establishes a minimum payment of $14.50 per trip plus $2.10 per mile for transportation providers. The Louisiana Department of Health must implement these changes by October 1, 2026, through a Medicaid state plan amendment. This policy change directly affects transportation providers serving Medicaid patients and the state's healthcare administration.
This bill requires nursing homes in Louisiana to have a permanently installed generator or alternative power source on-site to ensure electricity during emergencies. Facilities must store fuel or other power generation materials either on-site or ensure they are delivered before any emergency occurs. The law updates existing regulations to mandate these backup power capabilities for nursing facilities. This change directly affects nursing home operators who must now maintain specific power infrastructure and fuel supplies. The legislation focuses on improving emergency preparedness without specifying particular outcomes or advocating for a particular viewpoint.
This bill updates the rules for licensing occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana. It requires applicants to pass a national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and establishes specific fees for applying for and renewing licenses. The legislation also creates several pathways to waive the exam requirement, including for those already certified before the law takes effect, those licensed in other states with equivalent standards, state employees in specific therapy roles, and graduates of member nations of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Additionally, it exempts therapists working in state facilities or agencies from continuing education requirements and clarifies the professional titles and abbreviations that licensed individuals may use.
HB 1249 amends the rules governing school-based health centers to ensure their operations align with specific existing provisions within the same legislative section. This change directly affects the administration of health services provided to students by requiring consistency between different parts of the governing text. The bill does not introduce new services or funding but rather clarifies how current regulations should be interpreted and applied. By adding a reference clause, the legislation streamlines the legal framework for these health programs without altering their core functions.
SB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.
HB 352 requires Louisiana public school districts to create and publish policies enabling behavioral health services for students during school hours. It allows services in classrooms during instructional time (including core subjects) if parents provide a provider-approved evaluation and treatment plan showing medical necessity, with in-person supervision by certified behavior analysts required. The bill defines key terms like "medically necessary services" and mandates that schools collaborate with providers to schedule services without disrupting school operations or testing. It directly affects public school students needing behavioral health support, their parents, school administrators, and behavioral health providers.
SB 401 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board within Louisiana's Department of Insurance to address rising prescription drug costs. The board would require drug manufacturers to report detailed pricing data - including production costs, research expenses, and marketing costs - and develop a list of "critical" drugs based on factors like public healthcare costs, usage, and availability of similar treatments. For drugs on this list, the board would set maximum allowable prices for sale in Louisiana, directly affecting manufacturers, pharmacies, and residents who purchase these medications. The bill aims to increase price transparency and control costs through data-driven price-setting, but it has not yet been enacted as it remains prefiling status.
SB 387 amends Louisiana law to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), directly affecting PBMs, local pharmacies, health insurers, and patients. It establishes new definitions (like "Maximum Allowable Cost List" and "Effective rate pricing"), requires PBMs to provide transparent compensation and services to enrollees and providers, and creates a private right to sue for violations. The bill also mandates audits of PBM practices, sets penalties for noncompliance, and repeals outdated provisions. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in how PBMs handle prescription drug pricing and reimbursements within Louisiana.
HB 870 requires Louisiana health insurance issuers to immediately place cheaper generic drugs and biosimilars on more favorable formulary tiers (with lower out-of-pocket costs) when their wholesale acquisition cost is lower than the brand-name reference drug or product. Specifically, if a generic drug costs less than its brand-name equivalent at launch, insurers must cover it with better cost-sharing and cannot impose prior authorization, step therapy, or pharmacy restrictions that make it harder to access than the brand. The same rules apply to biosimilars that are cheaper than their reference biological products. This directly affects health insurance plans and enrollees seeking coverage for these cost-effective alternatives. The bill aims to reduce patient costs by mandating insurer action when cheaper, equivalent options become available.
HB 1160 amends the laws governing rural physician licenses by updating specific terminology and clarifying the requirements for obtaining such licenses. The bill modifies the definition of a medical degree and adds language to ensure that licensing determinations are both approved and adopted through established administrative processes. It also changes the conditions under which a physician can be licensed, requiring them to meet a specific set of criteria rather than a single provision. These changes directly affect doctors practicing in rural areas and the state agencies responsible for issuing their medical licenses.
