Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 747: BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Provides relative to medical psychologists

HB 747 establishes a new licensure pathway for medical psychologists in Louisiana, replacing the previous "certificate of advanced practice" requirement. It requires medical psychologists to meet specific qualifications - including three years of experience, treatment of 100+ patients using medications like antidepressants, and recommendations from collaborating physicians - to obtain an advanced practice license. The bill mandates that patients treated by these professionals must have an established primary care provider overseeing their overall medical care. Licensing fees are set at $325 for initial issuance and $300 for renewal, with provisions for license reinstatement after expiration. The law directly affects medical psychologists seeking licensure and their patients, while eliminating dual licensure requirements with the existing psychology board.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure pathway for medical psychologists, enabling expanded mental health services access through standardized qualifications and collaboration requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 907: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides civil and criminal immunity for the distribution or use of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists beyond their shelf-life end date

This bill protects healthcare providers and individuals from civil and criminal liability when they distribute or use Naloxone and other opioid reversal drugs even after their labeled expiration dates have passed. It allows people acting in good faith to administer these medications to someone believed to be having an opioid overdose without fear of legal consequences, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Healthcare professionals are also shielded from disciplinary action by licensing boards for actions covered under this immunity, though federally certified facilities must still follow federal rules regarding expired medications. The law defines "shelf-life end date" based on federal labeling requirements and takes effect upon the governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces legal barriers to opioid overdose treatment, supporting public health and reducing criminal justice involvement in overdose cases75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers and individuals from liability when administering Naloxone, encouraging overdose response and improving patient safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House May 13, 2026

HB 926: VACCINES/VACCINATION: Prohibits the use of vaccine status to determine admission to public buildings

HB 926, the "Louisiana Medical Freedom Act," prohibits public buildings, government services, and businesses from denying access or services based on an individual's vaccine status or refusal of any medical intervention (including vaccines). It bans government entities from requiring vaccinations for public building access, employment, or services, and prevents businesses from denying services or employment based on medical intervention refusal. The bill explicitly states that healthy individuals cannot be excluded from public activities during health emergencies due to declining a vaccine. This law applies broadly to all public facilities, government services, and businesses operating in Louisiana.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits vaccine mandates for public access, restricting public health enforcement mechanisms like vaccination requirements for services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 1125: INSURANCE/GROUP-STATE: Provides for participation by full-time firefighters in insurance programs offered by the state's Office of Group Benefits (RE INCREASE SG EX See Note)

This bill allows full-time firefighters in Louisiana local government fire departments to join state insurance programs if their employer chooses to participate. It defines eligible fire departments as any local organization whose main purpose is fire prevention and extinguishing, and requires that all employees and retirees in the same class be included if one firefighter participates. The law also grants credit for prior health insurance coverage during the period before the employer opts into the program, ensuring firefighters don't lose coverage history. Employers retain the discretion to decide whether to enroll their fire department staff in these benefits, with no legal barrier preventing such participation. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for firefighters by allowing them to participate in state insurance programs, improving access to healthcare benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands health insurance benefits for firefighters by allowing participation in state insurance programs, strengthening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 162: WORKERS' COMPENSATION: Provides relative to the workers' compensation medical treatment schedule. (8/1/26)

SB 162 modifies Louisiana's workers' compensation system by changing how disputes over medical treatment decisions are handled. It allows any party disagreeing with a medical director's decision to appeal within 45 days using LWC Form 1008. To overturn a decision, the appealing party must present "clear and convincing evidence" showing the decision violated the law, and only evidence previously reviewed by the medical director can be used in the appeal. This directly affects workers and employers in Louisiana workers' compensation cases involving medical treatment disputes. The bill focuses on streamlining the appeals process for medical treatment decisions under the existing workers' compensation framework.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts appeal process for medical treatment decisions in workers' comp, requiring 'clear and convincing evidence' and limiting admissible evidence, limiting access to care.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts workers' ability to appeal medical treatment decisions by requiring 'clear and convincing evidence' and limiting admissible evidence, weakening access to necessary care under workers' comp.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House May 6, 2026

HCR 76: HEALTH CARE: Continues the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force

This bill creates the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force to study health issues in Louisiana's rural communities and develop strategies to improve care. The task force will be made up of representatives from nursing, medical, hospital, and patient advocacy groups, along with state health officials. Its main duties include identifying causes of health gaps, exploring ways to reduce provider shortages, and studying how technology like telehealth can help rural residents access care. The group must submit a written report to the House and Senate health committees by February 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a task force to study rural health inequities and develop strategies to improve care and reduce provider shortages.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly studies how technology like telehealth can help address rural health inequities, indicating a supportive stance toward digital health solutions.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 897: HEALTH: Provides relative to protecting healthcare data

HB 897 protects patient healthcare data for participants in Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. It requires healthcare providers (general contractors and subcontractors) to obtain written consent before sharing any identifiable health information, provide clear privacy notices explaining what data will be shared and with whom, and offer an easy way for patients to revoke consent. Providers must also give patients free access to their records within 10 business days. Violations could lead to contract termination by the Department of Children and Family Services, following standard state procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data rights through consent requirements, privacy notices, and record access, directly advancing healthcare privacy protections per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires written consent for health data sharing, privacy notices, and patient access to records - directly strengthens data privacy protections in healthcare technology systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1041: HEALTH/MEDICAL TREATMENT: Prohibits certain entities from prohibiting access based on a person's medical intervention status

This bill, known as the Louisiana Medical Freedom Act, prohibits businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services, employment, or access to individuals based on their refusal to undergo medical interventions such as vaccines or testing. It also bans employers from requiring medical interventions as a condition of employment and prevents schools from mandating such interventions beyond existing immunization laws. The legislation allows for reasonable accommodations and existing legal exemptions while repealing previous requirements related to immunization and school attendance. Violations of the act can be prosecuted by state or local prosecutors, with potential awards of attorney fees and court costs.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts medical interventions and limits public health programs by prohibiting vaccine mandates and testing requirements, which could weaken public health initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track