SB 37 establishes a statewide lead poisoning prevention program within Louisiana's Department of Health. It requires lead testing in early learning centers and schools (with prekindergarten programs or elementary grades) built before 1978 to obtain occupancy approval, and mandates healthcare providers to report confirmed lead poisoning cases. The program also sets protocols for detecting lead sources (prioritizing areas with recent cases and children under six) and requires abatement of lead hazards when contamination is found. These changes directly affect schools, healthcare providers, and the Department of Health, focusing on prevention, testing, and treatment for children under six.
SB 168 amends Louisiana's regulatory framework for addiction counseling by defining key terms and establishing new credentialing pathways for peer support specialists. It creates specific roles like "peer support specialist associates" and "supervisors," outlines their scope of practice (non-clinical support based on lived experience), and clarifies that peer services complement, but do not replace, clinical treatment. The bill also defines "addictive disorder," "behavioral health condition," and "core functions" (e.g., screening, assessment, case management) for addiction counselors. This procedural bill focuses on regulatory structure rather than direct service changes and is currently pending referral to the Health and Welfare Committee.
HB 771 requires health insurers to treat Medicare as the primary payer for retirees who return to work and receive employer-sponsored health coverage, meaning Medicare covers costs first rather than secondary. It applies specifically to Medicare-eligible retirees who previously retired but are now reemployed under an employer health plan regulated under state law. The bill mandates insurers coordinate payments this way unless federal law (like 42 CFR §411.32) requires otherwise, without changing existing coverage benefits. This clarifies payment order between Medicare and employer plans for affected retirees.
HB 740 creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims related to the Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) program in Louisiana. It directly affects behavioral health providers and families enrolled in CSoC, which serves youth with significant behavioral health challenges who are in or at risk of out-of-home placement. The bill establishes that claims denials for CSoC services must undergo review by an independent third party, rather than being handled under the standard Medicaid managed care process. This change ensures CSoC-specific claims get specialized review, addressing gaps in the current system for this vulnerable population.
SB 26 repeals two Louisiana statutes (R.S. 40:2116(B)(5) and 2159) that required facility need reviews for opioid treatment programs. This bill directly affects opioid treatment facilities in Louisiana by removing a specific administrative review requirement. The key change is eliminating the need for these facilities to undergo a separate review process before operating, streamlining their regulatory compliance under state law.
HB 193 restructures the membership of Louisiana's Sickle Cell Commission by specifying who serves on it. The bill requires the governor to appoint 13 members (with Senate confirmation), including key health officials like the Louisiana Department of Health secretary and Medicaid director, plus executive directors from seven regional sickle cell associations across the state. It repeals previous membership provisions that listed additional, less-specific roles. This is a procedural change affecting only the commission's composition, not sickle cell treatment or funding.
HB 654 modifies Louisiana's nursing facility licensing process to address bed availability based on community need. It requires the Louisiana Department of Health to calculate needed nursing beds in each parish by comparing the senior population (65+) to national nursing bed data, then determine if 30-120 beds or over 120 beds are needed. The bill directs the department to accept applications for expanding existing high-quality facilities (with >3-star CMS ratings) or new facilities (120 beds) only where need is confirmed, with preference for applicants committing to 95% private rooms and maintaining high quality ratings. Applicants must own/operate facilities, and licensees have one year to begin construction or risk losing the license. The bill repeals the previous licensing section (R.S. 40:2116.1) and excludes replacements without bed increases or conversions to adult care homes.
HB 237 creates the Lupus Commission within Louisiana's Department of Health to address lupus care and policy. The commission, composed of 13 members including medical professionals, healthcare systems, patient advocates (5 lupus patients), and state officials, will evaluate existing lupus programs, advise the governor and health department on treatment policies, and research state regulations affecting lupus care. It must hold quarterly public meetings, conduct annual public hearings on lupus-related issues, and submit an annual report to health committees. The commission aims to improve coordination, research, and policy recommendations specifically for Louisiana residents living with lupus.
SB 275 requires Louisiana health insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for identical services performed within a CRNA's scope of practice, regardless of billing codes. It also prohibits insurers from denying CRNAs network inclusion solely based on their provider type or licensure. The law applies to new insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects insurers, CRNAs, and patients seeking anesthesia services covered under these plans.
HB 774 requires health insurance companies in Louisiana to cover hearing aids for children under 18 and young adults up to age 26 who are already covered under their insurance policy. The bill mandates that coverage must be provided by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist after a physician's medical clearance and a medically appropriate audiological evaluation. This change applies directly to insured individuals in these age groups and overrides previous insurance coverage limitations (R.S. 22:1047). The law ensures that hearing aid coverage is tied to medical necessity and professional evaluation, rather than being excluded under standard policy terms.
