Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 212: MALPRACTICE: Provides for filing procedures and amounts recoverable in medical malpractice actions. (8/1/26)

SB 212 sets a $500,000 cap on total recoverable damages in medical malpractice cases (excluding future medical care and lost income) and a separate $100,000 cap per health care provider for all claims involving one patient. The caps automatically adjust annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill requires courts to hold a post-trial hearing to determine if a patient can manage future medical care funds; if not, the Patient Compensation Fund covers those costs. This directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and health care providers facing liability.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareCaps total malpractice damages at $500k (excluding future care/lost income), limiting patient compensation and reducing liability for providers, directly restricting financial recourse in healthcare negligence cases.95% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 206: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides for blood pressure testing in schools. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

SB 206 requires all Louisiana public school districts to conduct blood pressure screenings for students during the first semester or within 30 days of enrollment, following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended schedule. School boards must document results, follow up on abnormal readings within 60 days, and notify parents in writing if issues are found. This applies to public schools but exempts charter schools from the blood pressure screening requirement specifically (while they still follow other health screening rules). The bill aims to identify hypertension early in students through standardized school-based testing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school blood pressure screenings as preventive public health measure, requiring follow-up and documentation per AAP guidelines, advancing student health monitoring.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 560: HOSPITALS: Provides relative to hospital service districts

HB 560 amends Louisiana law to update the stated purpose of hospital service districts. It adds a specific objective requiring these districts and their governing boards to cooperate with other public and private healthcare facilities serving district residents. This change clarifies that district boards must work with hospitals and health agencies to provide services. The bill directly affects hospital service districts and their governing bodies across Louisiana. The amendment is procedural and does not create new funding or mandates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospital districts to cooperate with healthcare facilities to provide services, enhancing coordination and access per amended law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 261: ABORTION: Provides for exceptions to abortion laws relative to rape and certain sex offenses

HB 261 creates exceptions to Louisiana's abortion restrictions for pregnancies resulting from specific sex offenses, including rape, sexual battery, and molestation. It directly affects pregnant individuals whose pregnancies stem from acts classified under Louisiana statutes like R.S. 14:41 (rape) or R.S. 14:81.2 (molestation). The bill explicitly states that no police report, forensic evidence, or prosecution of the alleged offense is required to qualify for this exception. This policy change expands access to abortion services in defined circumstances without mandating additional legal or medical documentation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands abortion access by removing barriers (police report/evidence requirements) for rape/molestation exceptions, directly improving healthcare access for affected individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 218: SCHOOLS: Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs, addressing a key barrier to student learning and educational access in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires school food insecurity screenings and referrals to meal programs/public assistance, addressing a social determinant of health and supporting public health initiatives as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Primary Care

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 31: NURSING HOMES: Provides for an extension to the moratorium for nursing facilities. (8/1/26)

SB 31 extends the pause on building new nursing facilities and adding beds to existing ones in Louisiana until July 1, 2032. This directly affects nursing home operators, developers, and communities seeking new or expanded long-term care capacity. The bill amends Louisiana law to change the moratorium end date from 2027 to 2032, maintaining the current restriction on new facilities and bed additions. The extension applies statewide and has no specified exceptions in the provided text. The bill is currently pending referral to the Health and Welfare Committee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends moratorium on nursing home construction, restricting new capacity and limiting patient access to long-term care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 626: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to suicide prevention plans at colleges and universities

HB 626 requires Louisiana's public colleges and universities to post suicide hotline numbers (including 988) on their websites and on student ID cards. It mandates that institutions provide all new students with information about mental health services and suicide warning signs through interactive formats (like online modules), and ensure 24/7 access to trained mental health professionals via campus or remote support. The bill also requires institutions to collect and report anonymous, aggregated data on suicide risk assessments - including demographics and referrals - to mental health services. These provisions directly affect all public postsecondary institutions in Louisiana, aiming to improve student mental health resources and data tracking.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires suicide hotlines, mental health resources, and 24/7 access on campuses, directly expanding student access to mental health services per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 363: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for health insurance. (8/1/26)

SB 363 requires health insurance companies in Louisiana to provide medically necessary treatments as determined by a patient's treating provider, prohibiting substitutions with less intensive care solely based on cost-saving measures. It directly affects health insurance issuers and patients who might face denied or downgraded care. The bill defines "lower level of care" as less intensive treatment than recommended by the provider and specifies that substitutions are only allowed if consistent with standard medical practice and clinically appropriate. This policy change aims to prevent insurers from overriding provider recommendations for financial reasons. The bill is currently pending referral to the Insurance Committee after being prefaced in February 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from substituting medically necessary care for cost-saving reasons, directly protecting patient access to recommended treatments and provider determinations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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