Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HCR 105: HEALTH: Urges the Louisiana Department of Health and health insurers to increase reimbursement for Behavioral Health Crisis Centers

This resolution urges the Louisiana Department of Health and health insurers to increase reimbursement rates for Behavioral Health Crisis Centers. It directly affects the state's health agencies and insurance companies by calling for higher payments to these crisis care facilities. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs but serves as a formal recommendation to improve funding for mental health crisis services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges increased reimbursement for behavioral health crisis centers, directly supporting mental health funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 61: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and Louisiana commercial health insurance payors to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health and commercial health insurers to raise payment rates for behavioral health crisis centers that hold a specific crisis receiving center license. The bill highlights that current Medicaid reimbursement of $549.40 per day is insufficient to cover the actual cost of providing 24-hour care with the required staffing levels, which an independent analysis estimates at $1,163 per day. By urging these payors to adjust rates to reflect true operational costs, the resolution aims to support facilities that offer short-term stabilization services to individuals in mental health crises. This change is intended to help ensure these centers can remain financially viable and continue serving the community, as inadequate funding has currently limited the number of such providers in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers, ensuring adequate funding for 24-hour care and staffing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1185: MEDICAID: Provides for other rural hospital reimbursement payments and directed payments (EG +$6,691,832 GF EX See Note)

HB 1185 amends Louisiana state statutes to establish a funding mechanism for Medicaid reimbursements specifically designated for other rural hospitals. The bill requires the state department to make these payments by September 1, provided the hospitals are current on all assessment obligations and not in arrears. It includes strict provisions to ensure that these new funds are supplemental and cannot be used to offset or reduce any existing federal, state, or local funding streams for rural healthcare facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the implementation of these payments must not result in any reduction of current Medicaid reimbursement rates for these hospitals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates additional funds to Medicaid for rural hospitals, strengthening healthcare access and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes funding for rural hospital Medicaid reimbursements, directly increasing healthcare resources and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 472: SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Provides for sober living homes. (8/1/26)

This bill establishes a new legal framework for sober living homes in Louisiana by requiring the Department of Health to create minimum health and safety standards. Before these rules can be finalized, the department must submit them to the Senate and House health and welfare committees for review and approval. The legislation directly affects operators of sober living facilities and the state agency responsible for regulating them, ensuring that future rules undergo legislative scrutiny.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes sober living homes to aid rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes health and safety standards for sober living homes, improving safety and access to recovery services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1180: INSURANCE/LIFE: Provides with respect to the denial of life insurance following suicide

This bill updates Louisiana life insurance laws to limit suicide exclusions to a maximum of two years from the policy's start date. It requires insurers to clearly explain these exclusions in plain language and provides written notice to policyholders at the time of purchase. Under the new rules, insurance companies cannot deny claims for suicide that occur after the two-year period or result from a diagnosed mental health condition, and they must prove any exclusion applies rather than the policyholder proving it does not. The changes specifically apply only to standard life insurance policies and do not affect accidental death coverage or policies for minors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands life insurance coverage for suicide victims after two years and removes mental health condition exclusions, protecting patient rights and access to financial security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 497: HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to evacuation protocols for certain facilities. (8/1/26)

SB 497 updates Louisiana law to require the Department of Health to notify licensed facilities about emergency evacuations or management responses. The bill mandates that if the department communicates this information orally, it must also send the details via email to ensure the facility has a written record. This change directly affects healthcare and other facilities regulated by the state health department during emergencies. The legislation aims to improve communication clarity and documentation for emergency protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves emergency communication protocols for healthcare facilities, enhancing patient safety and operational readiness during crises.85% confidence

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passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 384: HEALTH: Requests the Louisiana State University School of Health Sciences to conduct certain studies to identify associations between environmental risk factors and maternal health outcomes

This resolution asks the Louisiana State University School of Health Sciences to study how environmental risks affect maternal health. The study must identify connections between chemical exposures and health issues like respiratory or reproductive problems and deliver a written report by July 1, 2027. Findings will be shared with state health committees and the legislative research library to help guide future public health policies. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal request for research.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commissions a study to identify environmental health risks for maternal health, aiming to inform and improve future public health policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1227: PHYSICIANS: Provides with respect to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to have a panel of three active physicians review complaints involving clinical decisions before they can escalate to formal disciplinary action. The review panel, which must consist of licensed doctors with no conflicts of interest, evaluates the evidence and provides written recommendations on whether a violation occurred or if further investigation is needed. While the panel's advice is not binding, the board must keep a confidential record of its reasons if it decides to ignore the panel's recommendation. The bill also mandates that the board create specific rules to govern how the panel operates, including procedures for member selection, recusal, and maintaining the confidentiality of all review materials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient protection by requiring physician peer review before disciplinary action, safeguarding medical practice standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SR 83: WOMEN: Commends Our Lady of Angels on its work with Project M.O.M.

This Senate resolution formally commends Our Lady of Angels Hospital for its leadership in Project M.O.M., a state initiative aimed at reducing pregnancy-related opioid overdose deaths. The program focuses on expanding substance use screening, improving access to treatment medications like those for opioid use disorder, and enhancing care coordination for pregnant and postpartum women. By highlighting the hospital's successful implementation of these strategies, the bill recognizes the facility as a model for statewide efforts to prevent maternal overdose fatalities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commends a hospital for expanding opioid screening and treatment access for pregnant women, directly strengthening public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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