Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1154: INSURANCE: Prohibits prior authorizations requirements for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians (EN NO IMPACT GF EX See Note)

This bill prohibits health insurance companies and Medicaid managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization for certain generic medications when prescribed by board-certified physicians. The law defines a board-certified physician as a doctor certified by a recognized medical specialty board and a generic medication as a drug chemically equivalent to a brand-name drug approved by the FDA. Under this legislation, insurers must cover these specific generic prescriptions without needing additional approval from the insurance company before dispensing or reimbursing them. The restrictions apply to new insurance policies and contracts starting January 1, 2027, with existing plans required to comply by January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes prior authorization barriers for generic medications, improving patient access to affordable healthcare and reducing insurance restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Prescription Drugs

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 20: MEDICAID: Memorialize Congress and urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement certain eligibility redeterminations.

This bill asks the U.S. Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow states to adopt Medicaid eligibility rules similar to those in Florida. It would let elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients be presumed eligible during annual renewal checks unless their financial or disability status changes significantly. The proposal also permits states to exempt some disabled individuals from yearly renewals entirely, requiring them only to report major life changes. This change aims to reduce administrative work for state agencies and prevent coverage gaps for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid eligibility by reducing renewal burdens for elderly and disabled recipients, improving access to healthcare coverage and protecting patient rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1114: NURSES: Provide relative to licensing by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing

This bill updates Louisiana's nursing licensing laws to clarify the grounds for disciplinary action and establish procedures for reinstating suspended licenses. It directly affects registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nursing students, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing by defining specific behaviors that can lead to license denial, revocation, or suspension. Key provisions include allowing discipline for crimes affecting patient safety, substance abuse, incompetence, or prior license violations, while also recognizing medication-assisted treatment as evidence-based care for opioid use disorder. The bill requires independent medical evaluations for nurses seeking reinstatement after substance-related suspensions and prohibits denying reinstatement solely because a nurse is on prescribed medication-assisted treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens nursing licensing standards to protect patient safety and improve healthcare quality through clearer disciplinary procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1138: HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the communication of health information

This bill requires healthcare providers in Louisiana to obtain patient consent before posting medical test results that indicate serious medical conditions to online patient portals. It defines serious medical conditions as those that are life-threatening, could significantly alter a patient's quality of life, or require immediate or ongoing treatment. The law mandates that consent forms be presented separately, written in plain language, and include specific disclosures about electronic access to test results. Patients retain the right to revoke this consent at any time in writing, which would stop the provider from posting those results. The Louisiana Department of Health is authorized to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by requiring consent before sharing sensitive health information, strengthening privacy and autonomy in healthcare.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects patient data privacy by requiring consent before posting sensitive health information online, strengthening digital rights and privacy protections.85% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House May 26, 2026

HB 998: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to the examination and medical care of victims of human trafficking-related offenses and domestic violence offenses involving strangulation (EG INCREASE SD EX See Note)

This bill expands Louisiana's existing forensic medical examination requirements to include victims of human trafficking and domestic violence involving strangulation, alongside current protections for sexual assault victims. It mandates that healthcare providers offer these specialized examinations to survivors, which include physical trauma assessments, patient interviews documenting abuse history and strangulation incidents, and collection of forensic evidence such as biological specimens and photographic documentation. The legislation also requires that examinations occur in private spaces with access to victim advocates, and it updates statutory definitions to clarify which offenses qualify for these protections. Healthcare facilities must follow specific procedures for treating survivors, including mandatory reporting for minors and provisions for emergency medical care and evidence preservation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protection protocols in criminal justice by expanding forensic examination requirements for trafficking and strangulation cases, enhancing evidence collection and victim care.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare providers offer specialized forensic examinations to victims of trafficking and strangulation, expanding access to critical medical services and protecting patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 22: PHARMACEUTICALS: Requests a legislative auditor report on opioid settlement fund expenditures.

This bill asks the state legislative auditor to create a detailed report on how opioid settlement funds have been spent in Louisiana. The report will be sent to health and welfare committees by December 2026 and will cover how much money parishes and sheriff's offices received, what they spent it on, and any challenges they faced using the funds. It aims to provide transparency on the use of approximately $600 million in settlement money designated for opioid abatement efforts. The request for information includes specific details about expenditures, legal classifications for spending, performance outcomes, and administrative costs. This action does not change existing laws but seeks to gather data to help improve how local governments access and use these funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks transparency on opioid settlement funds used for abatement efforts, ensuring proper allocation of resources for public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 433: MEDICAID: Provides for Medicaid coverage of certain medications. (1/1/27) (EN +$3,000,000 GF EX See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover FDA-approved weight loss medications for eligible adults over eighteen. To qualify, patients must have a BMI of 30 or higher with at least one related health condition like diabetes or hypertension, or a BMI of 35 or higher without additional conditions. Coverage will require prior authorization limited to verifying these eligibility criteria, with initial approval for six months and continued coverage depending on documented clinical improvement. The bill also prohibits step therapy requirements for these medications and mandates that the Department of Health implement the coverage while maintaining fiscal sustainability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill expands Medicaid coverage for weight loss medications, increasing state budget expenditures and reducing fiscal savings from alternative treatments.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage for weight loss medications, increasing healthcare access and funding for eligible patients with obesity-related conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 1076: HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL: Repeals the termination of the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board

This bill removes the legal provision that set a termination date for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, allowing the regulatory body to continue operating. By repealing the specific statute that established the board's expiration, the legislation ensures the board remains active for overseeing behavior analysts in the state. The change directly affects the board's ability to regulate professionals and maintain oversight without a fixed end date. No new powers or requirements are added; the bill simply eliminates the existing deadline for the board's existence.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill preserves regulatory oversight for behavior analysts, protecting mental health service quality and professional standards.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 427: DONATIONS: Provides for procedures and methods to execute gifts under the Anatomical Gift Act. (1/1/27)

This bill updates Louisiana's Anatomical Gift Act to clarify procedures and methods for making, amending, or revoking donations of human body parts for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. It directly affects donors, their agents, healthcare providers, and organizations involved in organ recovery by establishing standardized definitions and requirements for consent and authorization. Key provisions include formalizing how anatomical gifts can be recorded on driver's licenses and other identification documents, defining roles for witnesses and agents, and specifying rules for donation after brain death or circulatory death. The legislation also creates a state registry to track anatomical gift decisions and ensures consistency in how these gifts are executed and documented.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies anatomical gift procedures, improving organ donation processes and supporting healthcare access for transplants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1119: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to an employee's refusal to submit to a medical examination or cooperate with vocational rehabilitation and provides relative to expedited summary proceedings for certain disputes

This bill modifies Louisiana workers' compensation laws to address employee refusal to participate in medical examinations or vocational rehabilitation programs. It allows employers to request expedited court hearings to compel employees to submit to medical exams, with benefits potentially suspended if the employee cannot show good cause for refusal. The legislation also permits a reduction of weekly compensation benefits by fifty percent if an employee unreasonably refuses to cooperate with vocational rehabilitation efforts. These changes apply to injured workers and their employers, streamlining dispute resolution for specific compliance issues while maintaining the requirement for court oversight before penalties are imposed.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows suspension of benefits and reduction of compensation if employees refuse medical exams, potentially limiting healthcare access for injured workers.75% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts worker benefits by allowing suspension of compensation and permitting 50% reduction in weekly benefits for refusing medical exams or vocational rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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