Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 962: NURSES: Provides relative to reconstitution of medications for intravenous therapy

This bill updates Louisiana law to clarify the roles of nurses in administering medications within public health clinics. It allows registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses to insert subcutaneous medication implants and distribute certain medications for treating sexually transmitted diseases or preventing pregnancy under physician-approved protocols. Additionally, the bill permits these licensed nurses to administer reconstituted medications for intravenous therapy when used according to the medication's labeling, while explicitly stating that this process does not constitute compounding. The changes apply specifically to nurses employed by municipal, parochial, or state-operated public health clinics and require adherence to established procedures and protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands nurses' scope of practice to improve patient access to healthcare services and treatment options.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 84: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides relative to health insurance coverage for prostate cancer screening. (gov sig) (EN +$5,100 SG EX See Note)

SB 84 requires all health insurance plans sold in Louisiana to cover prostate cancer screening for men aged 40-49 (as medically appropriate) and men over 50, following National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. It mandates that insurers cover these screenings without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees, including deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The law applies to new policies starting January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects Louisiana health insurers and their policyholders by guaranteeing no-cost access to recommended prostate cancer screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost prostate cancer screening coverage for specified age groups, expanding access and removing financial barriers under insurance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 192: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for the method of dental reimbursement or payments. (gov sig)

SB 192 requires dental insurance plans in Louisiana to obtain written, explicit consent ("express acceptance") from dentists before switching their payment method to electronic funds transfer or credit card. It defines "express acceptance" as a clear, written agreement from the dental provider, eliminating implied or ambiguous consent. The bill applies to all new dental insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects dental insurance plans and dentists by mandating written agreement for payment method changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires written consent for dental payment method changes, protecting provider autonomy and ensuring stable insurance networks within healthcare services.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 219: HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Creates the office of health and nutrition within the Louisiana Department of Health. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 219 creates a new "Office of Health and Nutrition" within the Louisiana Department of Health. This office will coordinate existing state programs including the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) supplemental nutrition program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and physical fitness initiatives. It establishes an executive director who reports directly to the Health Secretary and outlines the office's duties to lead and develop policy for these nutrition and health programs. The bill amends existing statutes to formally integrate this office into the department's structure without changing eligibility or funding for the programs it coordinates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Office of Health and Nutrition to coordinate WIC, CSFP, and fitness programs, strengthening policy development and program coordination within state health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 486: PSYCHOLOGISTS: Provides relative to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)

HB 486 enacts Louisiana's participation in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing psychologists licensed in Louisiana to provide telepsychology services (via video or phone) and temporary in-person care (up to 30 days per year) in other participating states without obtaining additional licenses. The bill establishes a $50 fee for Louisiana-licensed psychologists using the compact and requires states to share information on licensure and disciplinary actions to protect public safety. It defines key terms like "home state" (Louisiana for the psychologist) and "distant state" (the state where temporary care occurs), while ensuring the compact does not apply to permanent in-person practice. This aims to increase access to psychological services across state lines while maintaining regulatory oversight through shared information and commission oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state telepsychology services, expanding mental health access without additional licensing, aligning with support indicators for improved patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 301: LABOR: Creates the Independent Contractor Voluntary Portable Benefits Act

HB 301 creates the "Independent Contractor Voluntary Portable Benefits Act," allowing independent contractors in Louisiana to establish portable benefit accounts. These accounts, owned by the contractor and not tied to any specific employer, can be funded through voluntary contributions from hiring parties (like companies) or the contractors themselves, with clear opt-in and opt-out requirements. Key provisions include allowing contributions for health insurance, retirement, disability, and other benefits, while explicitly stating these contributions cannot be used to determine employment status or create employer liability under state labor laws. The bill directly affects independent contractors by providing a mechanism to access portable benefits across multiple clients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enables health insurance coverage through portable benefit accounts for independent contractors, expanding access to healthcare benefits via voluntary contributions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates portable benefits for independent contractors, expanding access to health, retirement, and disability coverage without employer ties, advancing worker benefit options.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 2: HOSPITALS: Amends rules relative to certain licensure requirements of hospitals.

This bill updates the architectural design standards that hospitals in Louisiana must follow when applying for licensure. It requires hospital plans to comply with the most recent edition of the Facility Guidelines Institute standards, which are updated every four years rather than being stuck at the 2014 version. The change ensures that the state uses current building guidelines when reviewing hospital construction and renovation projects. This amendment directly affects hospital administrators, architects, and the Louisiana Department of Health, which oversees hospital licensing. The bill is a procedural update to administrative rules rather than a new policy initiative.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates hospital architectural standards to current guidelines, improving facility quality and patient safety in healthcare settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 20: MEDICAID: Memorialize Congress and urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement certain eligibility redeterminations.

This bill asks the U.S. Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow states to adopt Medicaid eligibility rules similar to those in Florida. It would let elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients be presumed eligible during annual renewal checks unless their financial or disability status changes significantly. The proposal also permits states to exempt some disabled individuals from yearly renewals entirely, requiring them only to report major life changes. This change aims to reduce administrative work for state agencies and prevent coverage gaps for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid eligibility by reducing renewal burdens for elderly and disabled recipients, improving access to healthcare coverage and protecting patient rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 22: PHARMACEUTICALS: Requests a legislative auditor report on opioid settlement fund expenditures.

This bill asks the state legislative auditor to create a detailed report on how opioid settlement funds have been spent in Louisiana. The report will be sent to health and welfare committees by December 2026 and will cover how much money parishes and sheriff's offices received, what they spent it on, and any challenges they faced using the funds. It aims to provide transparency on the use of approximately $600 million in settlement money designated for opioid abatement efforts. The request for information includes specific details about expenditures, legal classifications for spending, performance outcomes, and administrative costs. This action does not change existing laws but seeks to gather data to help improve how local governments access and use these funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks transparency on opioid settlement funds used for abatement efforts, ensuring proper allocation of resources for public health initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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