Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 401: PHARMACEUTICALS: Provides for a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. (8/1/26)

SB 401 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board within Louisiana's Department of Insurance to address rising prescription drug costs. The board would require drug manufacturers to report detailed pricing data - including production costs, research expenses, and marketing costs - and develop a list of "critical" drugs based on factors like public healthcare costs, usage, and availability of similar treatments. For drugs on this list, the board would set maximum allowable prices for sale in Louisiana, directly affecting manufacturers, pharmacies, and residents who purchase these medications. The bill aims to increase price transparency and control costs through data-driven price-setting, but it has not yet been enacted as it remains prefiling status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets maximum drug prices to reduce costs, improving patient affordability and access to prescription medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

passed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 938: INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers (RE +$3,187,173 SG EX See Note)

HB 938 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana to reimburse pharmacies at the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a standard dispensing fee for all prescriptions, regardless of whether the pharmacy is independent or affiliated with the PBM. It prohibits PBMs from retaining rebates from drug manufacturers, mandating that all rebates be passed through to health plan sponsors as lower premiums, reduced patient costs, or broader coverage. The bill also limits payment errors to a 2% rate for prescription claims, establishes a formal appeal process for pharmacies disputing underpayments, and grants state regulators access to PBM data for oversight. This directly affects Louisiana pharmacies, PBMs, and health plans by standardizing payments, increasing transparency, and reducing financial disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to pass rebates to health plans, lowering premiums/patient costs and mandating fair pharmacy reimbursement, directly improving patient access and reducing drug costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

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

Sub-Topics Medicaid

passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 689: SNAP/FOOD STAMPS: Provides relative to public assistance benefits for children (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 689 requires Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to report within 72 hours when a child enters or leaves foster care custody to the Louisiana Department of Health. This ensures the health department can immediately adjust public assistance benefits for parents if a child is no longer living in their household - such as SNAP (food stamps), WIC, or FITAP benefits - and update Medicaid coverage for the child. The bill directly affects parents receiving benefits and children in foster care by streamlining benefit adjustments based on custody changes. It also mandates fraud investigations if individuals fail to report such changes, ensuring benefits align with current household circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures timely Medicaid and public benefit adjustments for children in foster care, maintaining healthcare access and preventing coverage gaps for affected families.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 469: PHARMACISTS: Provides relative to the pharmacy education support fee collected by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy

HB 469 establishes a $100 annual optional "pharmacy education support fee" for pharmacists and pharmacies renewing licenses or permits in Louisiana. Pharmacists and pharmacies can choose whether to pay the fee or select a specific public university pharmacy school (like Xavier University) to receive it, with the option to opt out entirely. Funds collected must supplement, not replace, existing university funding for pharmacy education programs. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will distribute payments to chosen schools by April 1 each year, ensuring the money directly supports pharmacy education initiatives at public universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes $100 annual fee to fund pharmacy education programs, supplementing existing university funding for pharmacy schools like Xavier University.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds pharmacy education programs to support healthcare workforce development, advancing medical professional training under healthcare topic.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Prescription Drugs

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 155: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for coverage of certain dental care when connected with cancer treatment. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 155 requires Louisiana health insurers to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment, such as infection prevention/treatment or addressing tooth decay caused by chemotherapy, radiation, or biological therapy. It specifically covers procedures within 30 days before treatment, during treatment, or as a result of treatment (including obturators for oral cavity defects), but excludes routine preventive care like cleanings. The law applies to all new health insurance plans issued on or after January 1, 2027, with existing plans required to comply by January 1, 2028. It does not apply to short-term policies, limited-benefit plans, or excepted benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover cancer-treatment-related dental procedures, expanding health insurance coverage for medically necessary care during cancer treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 302: TOBACCO/TOBACCO PRODUCTS: Prohibits the sale of vapor products near schools

HB 302 prohibits new permits for businesses to sell vapor products within 300 feet of school property lines. It directly affects businesses seeking to open or operate vapor product sales near schools, requiring them to be at least 300 feet away. The bill specifies measurement can be either by sidewalk path (in areas with sidewalks) or straight line, with the straight-line method applying only to new permits issued after its adoption. This policy change restricts where new vapor product businesses can operate near schools but does not affect existing businesses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits vapor sales near schools to protect youth health, aligning with public health initiatives to reduce nicotine access and prevent youth vaping-related health risks.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 43: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to psychedelic-assisted therapy. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds clinical studies for psychedelic therapy to treat mental health/substance use disorders, expanding healthcare treatment options under Department of Health oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 948: HEALTH/CHILDREN: Provides with respect to the rights of parents regarding the medical treatment of their minor children

HB 948, titled the "Parental Medical Decision Protection Act," protects parents' rights to make medical treatment decisions for their minor children, specifically regarding cancer care. It prohibits government agencies, courts, or healthcare facilities from investigating or taking action against parents who decline chemotherapy, seek second opinions, or pursue alternative treatments for non-emergency cancer cases. The law explicitly states such decisions cannot be deemed medical neglect and bars healthcare providers from reporting parents for these choices. Exceptions apply only in life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate treatment, where care is limited to addressing the emergency. The bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers in Louisiana regarding minors' cancer treatment decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects parental rights in medical decisions for minors, explicitly preventing government interference in non-emergency cancer care choices, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare policies.95% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 89: DISTRICT ATTORNEYS: Provides relative to certain retirees of the office of the district attorney of the 3rd Judicial District (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 89 ensures that retired district attorneys and assistant district attorneys in Louisiana's Third Judicial District with at least 24 years of full-time service receive full coverage for their health insurance premiums. The district attorney's office will pay 100% of the premium - either the retiree's current plan or the equivalent amount paid by a current employee - regardless of age. Once retirees become Medicare-eligible, the office continues covering their supplemental plan premiums to maintain comparable coverage. This applies only to retirees who retire after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides full health insurance premium coverage for retired district attorneys, expanding their health benefits and funding coverage through the district office.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare