Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 184: PHARMACIES: Provides an exemption to certain outpatient prescription fees for charitable pharmacies (OR -$3,754 SD RV See Note)

HB 184 exempts charitable pharmacies from certain outpatient prescription fees that apply to other pharmacies under Louisiana's Medicaid program. Specifically, it removes the requirement for charitable pharmacies - defined as organizations providing free prescriptions to screened, qualified patients - to pay fees imposed on other pharmacies. The bill amends Louisiana law to clarify that these exempt pharmacies are excluded from fee structures outlined in existing Medicaid regulations. This change directly affects charitable organizations operating pharmacies and reduces administrative costs for them, while maintaining fee collection from non-charitable pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts charitable pharmacies from Medicaid fees, enabling free prescriptions for qualified patients and improving medication access under public health programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 182: NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault (EG +$4,000,000 LF See Note)

HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates forensic exam access for sexual assault victims, improving evidence collection for criminal cases and aligning with victim support in criminal justice process.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare providers to offer forensic exams and treatment for sexual assault survivors, improving access to critical health services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 775: HEALTH/CHILDREN: Provides relative to minor's consent for medical procedures and treatments

HB 775 modifies Louisiana law to expand when minors can consent to medical care without parental permission. It allows minors aged 13-17 to consent to treatment for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and certain emergencies (like abuse or neglect), while requiring parental access to medical records. The bill also prohibits schools or facilities from providing preventive care to minors without parental consent and shields healthcare providers from liability for following these rules. It repeals prior provisions that permitted broader minor consent or school-based care without parental involvement. This directly affects minors, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, and schools in Louisiana.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands minor access to reproductive/STI/substance care without parental consent, improving healthcare access for vulnerable youth while requiring record transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 589: ENERGY/PIPELINES: Requires a five hundred foot setback for carbon dioxide pipelines

HB 589 (Energy/Pipelines: Requires a five hundred foot setback for carbon dioxide pipelines) would require carbon dioxide transport pipelines in Louisiana to maintain a minimum 500-foot buffer zone from inhabited dwellings, schools, and healthcare facilities. This policy directly affects pipeline companies planning to construct CO2 transportation infrastructure within the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to add this setback requirement as a specific siting condition for CO2 pipelines, mirroring existing rules for Class VI injection wells. The provision aims to establish a standardized safety distance between pipeline infrastructure and sensitive locations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 500-foot buffer from dwellings/schools to prevent CO2 pipeline leaks, directly protecting communities and environment from potential pollution incidents.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 500ft setback from healthcare facilities, protecting them from CO2 pipeline risks per bill's explicit language on healthcare facility inclusion.90% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 736: INSURANCE: Provides for the transparency of setting insurance rates

HB 736 requires Louisiana insurers to disclose insurance rate information to the public unless they meet strict, specific criteria to claim it as a "trade secret." Insurers must clearly mark such information, provide sworn affidavits justifying the claim, and submit it separately - failing to do so waives the claim. The bill explicitly prohibits trade secret claims for financial models, affiliate transactions, compensation data, and other rate-related details, ensuring these are publicly accessible. The Insurance Commissioner must review all claims and deny those not meeting the criteria, with penalties up to $25,000 for false claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance rate transparency, prohibits trade secret claims for rate details, improving consumer access to pricing information and supporting healthcare affordability.95% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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

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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

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 925: SPEECH/PATH/AUDIO: Provides relative to the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology

HB 925 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Louisiana by updating definitions and adding specific permissions and prohibitions. It permits audiologists to order certain diagnostic tests (like blood work, cultures, and non-radiographic in-office ear tests) related to auditory or vestibular conditions, and to order radiographic imaging for those conditions. However, it explicitly prohibits audiologists from performing surgeries (including laser, scalpel, or cochlear implant procedures) or interpreting diagnostic tests like blood work or radiographs for diagnosis. The bill directly affects licensed audiologists practicing in Louisiana by defining their permitted clinical activities and boundaries. This is a procedural clarification to standardize professional practice standards, not a new service or funding measure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands audiologists' scope to order diagnostic tests (blood work, imaging) for auditory/vestibular conditions, improving patient access to specialized care without physician referrals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 880: INSURANCE: Creates the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act (OR +$1,029,533 SG EX See Note)

HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act (LAIFA), establishes rules for insurers using AI in underwriting, pricing, and claims decisions. It directly affects Louisiana insurance companies (covered insurers) that use AI systems for homeowners, auto, commercial property, health, or life insurance, particularly protecting Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, low-income, and historically redlined communities from biased algorithmic decisions. Key provisions require annual audits to detect discriminatory outcomes, ban the use of "proxy variables" (like zip codes) that correlate with protected classes, mandate clear explanations for AI-driven adverse decisions, and create a private right to sue for affected consumers. The law does not ban AI use but ensures it is transparent, fair, and accountable, aligning with existing anti-discrimination protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects health insurance access for marginalized communities by preventing AI bias in underwriting, aligning with patient rights and equitable healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI in insurance to prevent bias against marginalized communities, aligning with consumer protection and digital equity standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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