Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 369: PHARMACEUTICALS: Provides for prescription drug pricing. (1/1/27) (EG SG EX See Note)

SB 369 requires Louisiana's state insurance plans (like Medicaid or Group Benefits) to pay pharmaceutical manufacturers no more than Medicare's price for covered drugs. It also prohibits insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from reimbursing less than Medicare's price for any brand-name, biosimilar, or generic drug. This sets Medicare's price as both a maximum for state plan purchases and a minimum for reimbursement, directly affecting drug manufacturers, insurers, and pharmacies serving Louisiana's state health programs. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and authorizes the state insurance commissioner to enforce these rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets Medicare price as max for state purchases and min for reimbursement, capping drug costs for Medicaid/insurers to improve affordability and access to medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 897: HEALTH: Provides relative to protecting healthcare data

HB 897 protects patient healthcare data for participants in Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. It requires healthcare providers (general contractors and subcontractors) to obtain written consent before sharing any identifiable health information, provide clear privacy notices explaining what data will be shared and with whom, and offer an easy way for patients to revoke consent. Providers must also give patients free access to their records within 10 business days. Violations could lead to contract termination by the Department of Children and Family Services, following standard state procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data rights through consent requirements, privacy notices, and record access, directly advancing healthcare privacy protections per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires written consent for health data sharing, privacy notices, and patient access to records - directly strengthens data privacy protections in healthcare technology systems.95% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 372: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers. (8/1/26)

SB 372 expands the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner's authority to examine pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) financial records. It allows the commissioner to access detailed payment data between insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies to verify the accuracy of required transparency reports. The bill specifically authorizes review of individual drug payment amounts paid by insurers to PBMs and by PBMs to pharmacies. This directly affects PBMs, insurers, and pharmacies by increasing oversight of their financial transactions. The law aims to improve transparency in how PBMs handle drug payments within the insurance system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands oversight of PBM financial transparency to ensure accurate reporting, promoting accountability in pharmacy benefit management affecting healthcare costs and patient access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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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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