Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

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

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

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

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 1236: INSURANCE: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers reimbursements (EN +$2,265,844 SG EX See Note)

HB 1236 amends Louisiana laws governing pharmacy benefit manager reimbursements to establish a new payment formula based on claims data. This formula requires that reimbursement adjustments aim for a claim payment error rate of no more than two percent per drug. The bill also mandates that professional dispensing fees paid to pharmacists must be at least equal to the fee currently set by the Louisiana Department of Health for Medicaid. These changes directly affect pharmacy benefit managers and the state's Medicaid program by updating how they are compensated for dispensing medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new payment formula to reduce claim payment errors and mandates minimum professional dispensing fees for pharmacists, protecting patient access and pharmacy services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Prescription Drugs

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1030: MEDICAID: Provides relative to nonemergency medical transportation for individuals with mental illness (RE NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill allows mental health institutions in Louisiana to provide nonemergency medical transportation for their Medicaid patients using their own vehicles or contracted providers. It establishes that these transportation services will be reimbursed through Medicaid at the same rates as standard nonemergency medical transportation, with managed care organizations required to pay at least those rates directly to the institutions. The law specifically limits transportation to trips related to psychiatric services, such as admission, discharge, or travel between the institution and a patient's home, while excluding other medical services like dental or pharmacy visits. Institutions must still follow all existing state and federal safety and operational requirements for vehicles and drivers. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid transportation services for mental health patients, improving access to care and funding institutional transportation at standard rates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 869: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to expand glucose-improving medications coverage to individuals based on body mass index (OR INCREASE EX See Note)

HB 869 requires Louisiana health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved injectable drugs for lowering glucose levels or treating obesity (BMI ≥30) when prescribed for prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity. It applies to all new or renewed health plans starting January 1, 2026, with existing plans converting by January 1, 2027. Coverage must include these drugs if they're on the insurer's formulary, medically necessary, and prescribed by a healthcare provider. This directly affects Louisiana residents diagnosed with qualifying conditions who rely on these medications. The bill does not mandate coverage for all weight loss drugs, only those approved for specific medical uses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for FDA-approved glucose/obesity drugs for specified conditions, expanding patient access to treatment under medical necessity criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 323: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides relative to penalties for violations of the Louisiana Insurance Code. (gov sig)

SB 323 increases penalties for insurance violations related to pharmacy benefits, such as payment for prescription drugs or pharmacist services. It sets a $25,000 fine per violation for pharmacy-related issues (removing the previous $100,000 annual cap) and requires license suspension/revocation if violations aren’t corrected within 30 days of notice. The bill directly affects insurers and entities offering pharmacy benefits under insurance contracts in Louisiana. These changes amend Louisiana Insurance Code sections to strengthen enforcement for pharmacy benefit compliance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases penalties for insurers failing to pay pharmacies, ensuring timely prescription access and protecting patient rights under pharmacy benefit coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 377: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers. (gov sig) (OR +$2,265,844 SG EX See Note)

SB 377 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana by setting rules for their compensation and transparency. It prohibits PBMs from retaining rebates or charging fees based on drug prices, savings, or patient costs, requiring instead a fixed fee for services. The bill mandates annual certification by PBMs to the insurance commissioner and allows annual audits to review payments to pharmacies and rebate handling. These audits require PBMs to provide detailed claim-level data, including reimbursement rates for affiliated vs. unaffiliated pharmacies and quarterly rebate amounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs to prevent rebate retention and mandate transparency, reducing hidden costs and improving patient access to affordable medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 337: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers. (8/1/26) (OR +$2,265,844 SG EX See Note)

SB 337 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana by requiring transparency in how they handle drug pricing and payments. It directly affects PBMs, local pharmacies (those with fewer than 10 locations), health insurers, and patients enrolled in health plans. Key provisions include banning "effective rate pricing" (hidden fee reductions), mandating clear compensation rules for pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to sue PBMs for violations, and requiring regular audits of PBM practices. The bill also creates new definitions for terms like "maximum allowable cost list" to ensure fair reimbursement for pharmacist services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs for transparency, bans hidden fees, mandates fair pharmacy compensation, improving patient access and cost clarity in drug coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 920: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Requires drug manufacturers to limit pricing of GLP-1 medications for health insurance plans (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 920 requires drug manufacturers to limit out-of-pocket costs for GLP-1 medications (used for diabetes and obesity treatment) under health insurance plans in Louisiana. It caps patient costs at $200 per 30-day prescription, regardless of the specific medication or medical condition. The bill also mandates that Louisiana Medicaid cover GLP-1 medications without condition-based restrictions when prescribed. These provisions apply to all health coverage plans, including Medicaid, and may require federal waiver approvals for implementation. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage with no votes recorded.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps patient costs for GLP-1 medications at $200 and mandates Medicaid coverage without restrictions, improving access to diabetes/obesity treatments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track