Healthcare (Medicaid)

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 198: HEALTH: Provides relative to Medicaid reimbursement of ambulatory surgical centers for certain procedures (EN +$400,228 GF EX See Note)

HB 198 requires Louisiana's Medicaid program to reimburse ambulatory surgical centers at least 100% of the Medicare rate for gastroenterology procedures. This directly affects outpatient surgical centers providing these specific medical services and ensures they receive consistent, updated payments. The bill mandates annual reimbursement adjustments to match Medicare rate changes and requires the Louisiana Department of Health to implement these changes by October 1, 2026. It also authorizes the Department to create necessary rules under state administrative procedures. This policy change standardizes payments for a defined set of procedures, aiming to maintain provider access to Medicaid coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement at 100% Medicare rate for gastroenterology procedures, ensuring fair payments and improving access to outpatient surgical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 927: MEDICAID: Provides relative to the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee

HB 927 modifies Louisiana's Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee by requiring one physician or pharmacist from each Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) to serve on the committee. It also removes prior restrictions on HIV/AIDS medications that previously limited their coverage under Medicaid. The bill directly affects Medicaid managed care organizations, their healthcare providers, and Medicaid patients who use pharmaceuticals. These changes aim to improve committee representation and expand access to HIV/AIDS treatments within the state's Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior restrictions on HIV/AIDS medication coverage under Medicaid, expanding access for patients and aligning with healthcare expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 52: CHILDREN/FAMILY SERVICES DEPT: Provides relative to public assistance benefits for children. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 52 requires Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to report child custody changes to the Department of Health within 72 hours when a child is placed in or returned to a parent's custody. This triggers automatic adjustments to public assistance benefits (like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid) for the parent's household to reflect the child's new living situation. The bill ensures benefits accurately match where the child resides, preventing overpayment if a child is no longer living with a household receiving aid. It directly affects families receiving public assistance and the state agencies managing those benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures Medicaid and public assistance benefits automatically adjust when child custody changes, maintaining accurate healthcare coverage access and preventing overpayment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 742: HEALTH/LDH: Provides relative to certain eligibility requirements for certain public assistance programs (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 742 removes a requirement that applicants for the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program and Medicaid must have certain immunizations. The bill repeals specific sections of Louisiana law (R.S. 46:231.4 and Section 13 of Act No. 478) that previously mandated these vaccinations for program eligibility. It directs the Department of Children and Family Services and the Louisiana Department of Health to update their rules to align with this change. This policy change directly affects individuals applying for these two public assistance programs by eliminating a vaccination prerequisite.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves vaccination mandate for Medicaid eligibility, increasing access to healthcare programs without unnecessary barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 255: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides relative to psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) services. (8/1/26)

SB 255 requires Medicaid-funded behavioral health providers in Louisiana to ensure staff delivering psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) services hold at least a bachelor's degree in specific fields like counseling, social work, or psychology. This affects all licensed providers seeking Medicaid reimbursement for PSR services. The bill mandates these educational qualifications as a condition for continued reimbursement, updating existing Medicaid eligibility rules. The measure is pending legislative review and would not take effect until enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates higher qualifications for PSR services, enhancing rehabilitation quality to reduce recidivism - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires bachelor's degrees for PSR staff to maintain Medicaid reimbursement, strengthening mental health service quality standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 236: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to kidney disease. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 236 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to annually review Medicaid coverage for medications and treatments for chronic and rare kidney diseases, ensuring they meet patient needs. It mandates public input during these reviews and directs the department to partner with kidney disease organizations to boost education and early screening. The bill also requires an annual report to the legislature by January 15 each year, detailing review findings and recommendations. This affects Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with kidney disease in Louisiana by improving access to appropriate care and promoting early detection. The law focuses on systematic reviews and transparency, not changing Medicaid eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires annual Medicaid coverage reviews for kidney disease treatments with patient input and partnerships to improve access, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 193: HEALTH/SICKLE CELL ANEM: Provides for the membership of the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission

HB 193 restructures the membership of Louisiana's Sickle Cell Commission by specifying who serves on it. The bill requires the governor to appoint 13 members (with Senate confirmation), including key health officials like the Louisiana Department of Health secretary and Medicaid director, plus executive directors from seven regional sickle cell associations across the state. It repeals previous membership provisions that listed additional, less-specific roles. This is a procedural change affecting only the commission's composition, not sickle cell treatment or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestructures sickle cell commission with health officials to improve oversight of sickle cell care, a public health program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid