Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 222: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides for Medicaid behavioral health services. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 222 streamlines Medicaid behavioral health services in Louisiana by removing unnecessary administrative barriers for providers. It prohibits requiring pre-employment reference letters (§302), eliminates most CPR/first aid certification demands for staff (§303), aligns documentation timelines with federal standards (§305), and allows physician assistants with specific experience to serve as medical directors (§307). The bill also requires the state to seek federal approval for telehealth reimbursement of psychosocial services by July 2026 (§308). These changes directly affect Medicaid behavioral health providers, aiming to reduce duplication and expand workforce flexibility while maintaining care quality.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves administrative barriers for Medicaid behavioral health providers, improving access to mental health services and aligning with federal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 273: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to inpatient licensed facilities. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 273 establishes new requirements for hospice care provided in non-hospice inpatient facilities like nursing homes and assisted living centers in Louisiana. It mandates written care plans for hospice patients detailing providers, care responsibilities, and family contacts; requires facilities to notify hospice providers and families during transfers; and creates patient logs tracking hydration/nutrition decisions and family communication. The bill directly affects hospice patients, their families, and facility staff by clarifying accountability and communication protocols during care. The Louisiana Department of Health will oversee compliance, investigate complaints, and enforce penalties for violations of these provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates written care plans, transfer notifications, and patient logs for hospice care in facilities, enhancing patient rights and care coordination in vulnerable settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 915: MEDICAID: Provides with respect to utilization management practices (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 915 sets strict deadlines for Louisiana Medicaid managed care organizations to approve or deny medical service requests. It requires decisions within 5 business days for standard requests (2 days for inpatient care, 72 hours for urgent cases), with clear denial notices including policy references. The bill directly affects healthcare providers and Medicaid managed care organizations by mandating timely reviews and prohibiting claim denials for late decisions. Key provisions include requiring written notice of denials within two business days, allowing limited extensions for additional clinical information, and banning retroactive claim denials after services are provided. This procedural bill focuses on streamlining authorization processes to reduce administrative delays for Medicaid enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates strict deadlines for Medicaid service approvals, improving patient access and preventing denials due to administrative delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 609: HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the exemption of fees for health records when requested for the federal and state veterans affairs departments

HB 609 prohibits healthcare providers and facilities in Louisiana from charging fees for medical records when veterans request them specifically to apply for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. It applies only once per veteran for the purpose of a disability claim, requiring providers to verify veteran status and the claim's purpose before waiving fees. The law exempts costs for preparing, reproducing, handling, or transmitting records under this specific circumstance. This directly affects veterans seeking disability benefits and healthcare entities handling such record requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, improving access to healthcare services and supporting veterans' healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, facilitating access to employment-related benefits and reducing barriers for veterans seeking workplace support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits fees for veterans' health records when applying for VA disability benefits, removing financial barriers to access healthcare services and benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 786: MEDICAID MANAGED CARE: Prohibits certain processes used in healthcare provider claim payments

HB 786 prohibits Louisiana's Medicaid managed care organizations from using "extrapolation" (mathematical estimation of unreviewed claims) when auditing healthcare providers. It requires that any payment adjustments for overpayments or underpayments be based solely on actual reviewed claims, not estimated totals. The bill directly affects healthcare providers receiving Medicaid payments and the private managed care organizations that administer those payments. Violations by managed care organizations can trigger penalties without prior notice, and contractual clauses attempting to waive these rules are void. This policy change ensures audits are based on verified data rather than estimates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits Medicaid managed care from using extrapolation in audits, requiring actual reviewed claims for payments. Protects healthcare providers from unfair underpayment, strengthening Medicaid provider participation and access to care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 392: SCHOOLS: Provides relative to requirements for posting suicide hotline information on school websites and student ID cards

HB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide hotline info on school sites/IDs, enhancing student safety programs within K-12 schools per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide hotline access on school websites/ID cards, directly supporting mental health services by improving student access to crisis resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 405: HEALTH: Provides relative to the practice of acupuncture

HB 405 amends Louisiana law to establish licensure requirements for acupuncturists. It requires practitioners to hold active certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and pass its certification exam, including the Biomedicine portion. The bill updates the legal reference to the certifying organization's name to match its current official title. This directly affects individuals seeking to practice acupuncture in Louisiana by setting standardized certification criteria. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure requirements for acupuncturists to ensure qualified practitioners, improving healthcare quality and patient safety per bill's certification mandate.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 779: HEALTH/MEDICAL TREATMENT: Provides relative to expedited partner therapy (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 779 allows Louisiana doctors, nurses, and physician assistants to prescribe antibiotics to a patient’s sexual partner for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis - without requiring a direct exam or doctor-patient relationship with the partner. It requires providers to give the patient a written document to share with their partner, detailing the prescribed treatment. The bill also grants legal protection to healthcare providers who follow these guidelines in good faith. This policy directly affects patients diagnosed with eligible STIs and their partners, aiming to improve treatment access while reducing infection spread.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables faster STI treatment access by allowing prescribers to directly treat partners without exams, improving public health outcomes and patient access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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