Healthcare

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

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 366: MALPRACTICE: Provides relative to the Medical Malpractice Act. (8/1/26)

SB 366 amends Louisiana's Medical Malpractice Act to set a $1.5 million cap on total compensation for medical negligence claims (adjusted annually for inflation), including past medical costs and lost wages. It also limits a single healthcare provider's liability to $250,000 per patient (adjusted for inflation) and requires courts to separately assess future medical care needs. The bill changes how future medical expenses are handled, allowing patients to choose between direct payment, trust funds, or reimbursement through the Patient's Compensation Fund. These changes apply to all medical malpractice claims filed under Louisiana law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill imposes $1.5M cap on malpractice compensation and limits provider liability, restricting patient financial recovery options under healthcare negligence claims.92% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 106: DRUGS: Prohibits the administration of nonprescription medication to children without parental consent (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 106 prohibits child day care centers in Louisiana from providing melatonin (a nonprescription sleep aid) to children without written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The law directly affects day care centers and parents/guardians, requiring centers to obtain explicit permission before administering melatonin. Violations carry penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill specifically targets melatonin use in day care settings, not all nonprescription medications. It is currently pending before the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts day care centers from administering melatonin without parental consent, limiting healthcare actions in childcare settings per bill's prohibition.90% confidence

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

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 452: INSURANCE: Prohibits financial incentives or penalties to encourage healthcare providers to administer vaccinations

HB 452 prohibits health insurance plans from offering extra payments to healthcare providers to encourage administering vaccinations or denying reimbursement/charging penalties to influence vaccination rates. It directly affects insurance companies and healthcare providers by banning financial incentives or penalties tied to vaccine administration. The law applies to most health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored and HMO plans) but excludes limited benefit plans and short-term policies. This creates a clear policy change: insurers cannot use financial pressure to steer providers toward or away from vaccinating patients.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits financial incentives/penalties tied to vaccination rates, restricting a tool to promote public health initiatives under healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 95: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to health insurance coverage with respect to certain claims

HB 95 limits the amount a person can recover for medical expenses after a car accident if they had health insurance but didn't use it. It caps compensation at what their health insurance would have paid for those medical costs. This applies to standard car accident claims but does not affect workers' compensation cases under Louisiana law. The bill ensures health insurance coverage must be utilized before seeking full recovery for accident-related medical bills.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts patient access to full medical expense recovery by mandating health insurance utilization before claims, limiting compensation options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 4: PUBLIC HEALTH: Provides relative to water fluoridation. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

SB 4 changes Louisiana's water fluoridation policy by ending the state mandate for fluoridation in public water systems. Instead, it requires local voter approval via election for any system to fluoridate, with exceptions for systems already meeting natural fluoride levels. This directly affects public water systems serving over 5,000 connections that currently fluoridate or need to adjust fluoride levels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, replacing the previous requirement with a local decision process.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareEnds state mandate for water fluoridation (a public health measure), requiring local votes instead. Restricts a proven public health initiative that improves dental health access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health