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

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1247: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator

HB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, enhancing the integrity of the criminal justice process.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care quality and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, directly advancing healthcare services and patient support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 740: MEDICAID MANAGED CARE: Provides for independent claims review of Coordinated System of Care providers

HB 740 creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims related to the Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) program in Louisiana. It directly affects behavioral health providers and families enrolled in CSoC, which serves youth with significant behavioral health challenges who are in or at risk of out-of-home placement. The bill establishes that claims denials for CSoC services must undergo review by an independent third party, rather than being handled under the standard Medicaid managed care process. This change ensures CSoC-specific claims get specialized review, addressing gaps in the current system for this vulnerable population.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates independent claims review for Medicaid behavioral health services, preventing arbitrary denials and improving access for youth with mental health needs under CSoC program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 · 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

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 181: MEDICAID: Provides for Medicaid fraud detection and prevention (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX See Note)

HB 181 authorizes the Louisiana Department of Revenue to share state income tax return data with the legislative auditor exclusively to improve Medicaid program integrity. It specifically permits this data sharing to verify Medicaid eligibility accuracy, detect fraud, and comply with existing Medicaid fraud laws. The bill restricts the use of this data to these three purposes only and requires formal agreements between agencies for data sharing. This affects Medicaid program participants and administrators by enabling targeted fraud prevention through cross-agency data access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tax data to prevent Medicaid fraud, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting public funds from waste, aligning with budget integrity.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Medicaid program integrity by enabling fraud detection and prevention, protecting program funds and ensuring proper healthcare access for beneficiaries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HCR 3: HOSPITALS: Provides for a hospital stabilization formula (EN +$659,764,552 SD RV See Note)

HCR 3 establishes a quarterly assessment on Louisiana hospitals to stabilize funding without using state general funds. It requires hospitals to pay a percentage of their inpatient and outpatient revenue (ranging from 1.38% to 6.74%, with exemptions for rural hospitals and small facilities under 40 beds). The collected funds support Medicaid reimbursement enhancements for hospitals, ensuring payments meet or exceed 2026 rates while aligning with federal CMS guidelines. This directly affects most acute care hospitals in Louisiana, excluding rural and small facilities, and aims to preserve hospital services for all residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes hospital assessments (1.38%-6.74%) to fund Medicaid reimbursement enhancements without using state general funds, directly advancing budget allocation for essential healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a funding mechanism to enhance Medicaid hospital reimbursements, ensuring payments meet or exceed 2026 rates. This directly supports hospital financial stability and continuity of care for Medicaid patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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