Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 368: PHARMACEUTICALS: Provides for prescription drug pricing. (8/1/26) (OR +$270,360 SG EX See Note)

SB 368 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to report price increases for prescription drugs that exceed annual changes in the Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs, or when introducing new specialty drugs. Manufacturers must provide detailed cost explanations, including production costs, research and development expenses, and marketing costs. The Louisiana Department of Insurance and Department of Health will make this information publicly accessible online and require annual reports tracking drug pricing trends and the top 25 costliest drugs. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance and allows state agencies to audit reporting entities. (Note: This bill is currently pending and not yet enacted.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires drug manufacturers to disclose pricing details and cost breakdowns, increasing transparency to address high prescription drug costs and improve patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 780: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to penalties and attorney fees for nonpayment, discontinuance of payment, or failure to consent for a medical treatment for workers' compensation claims, controversion of benefits, and preliminary determination hearings

HB 780 strengthens protections for Louisiana workers by imposing penalties on employers or insurers who delay or deny workers' compensation payments or medical treatment. It sets daily penalties of up to $50 (capped at $2,000 per claim) or 12% of unpaid benefits, plus attorney fees, unless the delay was reasonable. Employers must send specific written notices within 3 business days when modifying benefits and respond to employee payment demands within 7 business days to avoid penalties. Total penalties at a hearing are capped at $8,000, and attorney fees from penalty cases are exempt from standard fee limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes penalties for denying/delaying medical treatment in workers' comp, strengthening access to health services and protecting patient rights for injured workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentImposes penalties on employers delaying workers' comp payments/medical treatment, strengthening worker protections per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 198: HEALTH: Provides relative to Medicaid reimbursement of ambulatory surgical centers for certain procedures (EN +$400,228 GF EX See Note)

HB 198 requires Louisiana's Medicaid program to reimburse ambulatory surgical centers at least 100% of the Medicare rate for gastroenterology procedures. This directly affects outpatient surgical centers providing these specific medical services and ensures they receive consistent, updated payments. The bill mandates annual reimbursement adjustments to match Medicare rate changes and requires the Louisiana Department of Health to implement these changes by October 1, 2026. It also authorizes the Department to create necessary rules under state administrative procedures. This policy change standardizes payments for a defined set of procedures, aiming to maintain provider access to Medicaid coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement at 100% Medicare rate for gastroenterology procedures, ensuring fair payments and improving access to outpatient surgical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 250: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to comprehensive weight management services. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX See Note)

SB 250 requires Louisiana's Office of Group Benefits to contract with healthcare providers to offer comprehensive weight management services to plan participants. These services include FDA-approved medications, medically appropriate compounded treatments, medical evaluations, prescribing oversight, and follow-up care. The bill directly affects individuals enrolled in group health benefit plans covered under Louisiana's state programs. It establishes a formal mechanism for the Office of Group Benefits to provide these specific health services through qualified external partners. The bill is currently under review by the Finance Committee after being prefilled on February 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state health plans to cover FDA-approved weight management services, expanding access to comprehensive care and treatment options.95% confidence

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 295: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for insurance coverage of services for persons with acquired brain injuries. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 295 requires all health insurance plans sold in Louisiana to cover medically necessary treatments for people with acquired brain injuries (ABIs), such as stroke or trauma survivors. It prohibits lifetime or unreasonable annual limits on treatment days/sessions, ensures ABI care isn’t subject to higher deductibles/copays than other benefits, and bans coverage denials based solely on treatment location (e.g., home vs. facility) if clinically appropriate. The bill defines covered services to include cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral therapy, and community reintegration support, and mandates peer-reviewed appeals for denied claims. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee after being prefilled in February 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for ABI treatments, prohibits coverage limits/denials, ensures equal benefits - directly expands access and protects patient rights in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 927: MEDICAID: Provides relative to the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee

HB 927 modifies Louisiana's Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee by requiring one physician or pharmacist from each Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) to serve on the committee. It also removes prior restrictions on HIV/AIDS medications that previously limited their coverage under Medicaid. The bill directly affects Medicaid managed care organizations, their healthcare providers, and Medicaid patients who use pharmaceuticals. These changes aim to improve committee representation and expand access to HIV/AIDS treatments within the state's Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior restrictions on HIV/AIDS medication coverage under Medicaid, expanding access for patients and aligning with healthcare expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 931: HEALTH: Prohibits a contractor or subcontractor of the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care initiative from conditioning services on religious requirements (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 931 prohibits contractors or subcontractors receiving state funds through Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative from requiring clients to attend religious instruction, watch religious videos, or participate in religious services to access services. This directly affects organizations providing pregnancy and baby care services funded by the state. The bill mandates that the state department investigate complaints about violations, and contractors found noncompliant may face ineligibility, suspension, or a 90-day ban on future state funding. It ensures services remain accessible without religious conditions, applying specifically to this state-funded program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves religious barriers to accessing state-funded pregnancy/baby care services, protecting patient access and rights per bill's explicit prohibition of conditioning services on religious requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 790: CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: Provides relative to medical emergency preparedness in correctional facilities

HB 790 requires all Louisiana correctional facilities to ensure staff and chaplains maintain current CPR and AED certification by specific deadlines (within 180 days of January 1, 2027, for current staff). It mandates facilities to place operational AEDs within three minutes of any inmate housing area, with specific locations including cellblocks, medical units, and recreation spaces. The bill also establishes a voluntary inmate CPR training program for eligible inmates with good behavior, offering positive record notes but no legal duty to assist. Additionally, it requires unannounced quarterly contraband screening for staff with direct inmate contact to support emergency response readiness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs, CPR training, and emergency preparedness in correctional facilities, directly enhancing medical response capabilities for inmates.95% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 52: CHILDREN/FAMILY SERVICES DEPT: Provides relative to public assistance benefits for children. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 52 requires Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to report child custody changes to the Department of Health within 72 hours when a child is placed in or returned to a parent's custody. This triggers automatic adjustments to public assistance benefits (like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid) for the parent's household to reflect the child's new living situation. The bill ensures benefits accurately match where the child resides, preventing overpayment if a child is no longer living with a household receiving aid. It directly affects families receiving public assistance and the state agencies managing those benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures Medicaid and public assistance benefits automatically adjust when child custody changes, maintaining accurate healthcare coverage access and preventing overpayment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 460: EMPLOYMENT/DISCRIMINATN: Provides relative to employment discrimination against certain employees being treated with medical marijuana

HB 460 would protect state employees and job applicants in Louisiana from employment discrimination based on using physician-recommended medical marijuana. It prohibits state agencies and the Civil Service Commission from refusing to hire or firing individuals who use medical marijuana as prescribed, while still allowing drug testing for impairment during work hours. The bill applies to all state classified and unclassified service positions, ensuring medical marijuana use does not affect employment decisions. This change would update existing anti-discrimination law to explicitly include medical marijuana use under state employment protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical marijuana users from employment discrimination, advancing patient access to healthcare treatment without job penalties95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects state employees from discrimination based on medical marijuana use, advancing workers' rights without impairing workplace safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Public Employees

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