Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HR 290: HEALTH: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the effects of gender affirming therapy on mental health

This legislative resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study on the link between gender-affirming hormone medications and mental health issues in people under 26. The study must review medical literature, examine data on psychiatric symptoms like psychosis and mood disorders, and consult with various healthcare experts. By February 2027, the department must submit a written report of its findings and any recommendations to the House Committee on Health and Welfare. The bill directly affects the Louisiana Department of Health and individuals receiving gender-affirming care in the state.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill mandates a study on potential negative mental health effects of gender-affirming therapy, implying skepticism toward current care and potentially restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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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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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1041: HEALTH/MEDICAL TREATMENT: Prohibits certain entities from prohibiting access based on a person's medical intervention status

This bill, known as the Louisiana Medical Freedom Act, prohibits businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services, employment, or access to individuals based on their refusal to undergo medical interventions such as vaccines or testing. It also bans employers from requiring medical interventions as a condition of employment and prevents schools from mandating such interventions beyond existing immunization laws. The legislation allows for reasonable accommodations and existing legal exemptions while repealing previous requirements related to immunization and school attendance. Violations of the act can be prosecuted by state or local prosecutors, with potential awards of attorney fees and court costs.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts medical interventions and limits public health programs by prohibiting vaccine mandates and testing requirements, which could weaken public health initiatives.85% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1121: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Authorizes certain healthcare entities to refuse to provide healthcare services under certain circumstances

This bill allows healthcare providers, institutions, and payors in Louisiana to refuse to provide or fund certain medical services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It defines "conscience" to include religious guidelines and protects those who object to services like abortion or contraception from facing retaliation such as job termination, license revocation, or other adverse employment actions. The law also prohibits employers from punishing healthcare professionals for providing treatments patients have consented to, while explicitly exempting religious organizations from certain employment and staffing requirements. Emergency care obligations remain unchanged, and the bill does not apply to discrimination in insurance purchasing or good-faith accommodation efforts.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts patient access to healthcare services by allowing providers to refuse care based on beliefs, limiting coverage and access to certain medical treatments.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts worker protections by allowing healthcare providers to refuse services based on beliefs and protecting them from retaliation, limiting patient access and employment obligations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 984: MALPRACTICE/MEDICAL: Provides relative to medical malpractice and the limitation of recovery

This bill updates Louisiana's medical malpractice laws by setting a cap on the total amount patients can recover for injuries or death, excluding future medical costs. It directly affects patients seeking compensation from healthcare providers and the state for medical errors. The key provision establishes a $575,000 limit on recoverable damages, with future medical care and related benefits paid separately without being subject to this cap. The bill also outlines procedures for handling claims that include both immediate damages and future medical expenses, specifying how payments should be processed through state risk management offices.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill caps medical malpractice damages, limiting patient compensation for medical errors and restricting access to full recovery for healthcare-related injuries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 162: WORKERS' COMPENSATION: Provides relative to the workers' compensation medical treatment schedule. (8/1/26)

SB 162 modifies Louisiana's workers' compensation system by changing how disputes over medical treatment decisions are handled. It allows any party disagreeing with a medical director's decision to appeal within 45 days using LWC Form 1008. To overturn a decision, the appealing party must present "clear and convincing evidence" showing the decision violated the law, and only evidence previously reviewed by the medical director can be used in the appeal. This directly affects workers and employers in Louisiana workers' compensation cases involving medical treatment disputes. The bill focuses on streamlining the appeals process for medical treatment decisions under the existing workers' compensation framework.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts appeal process for medical treatment decisions in workers' comp, requiring 'clear and convincing evidence' and limiting admissible evidence, limiting access to care.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts workers' ability to appeal medical treatment decisions by requiring 'clear and convincing evidence' and limiting admissible evidence, weakening access to necessary care under workers' comp.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 194: FUNDS/FUNDING: Requires the referral of applicants who fail citizenship or immigration verification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill terminates Medicaid/SNAP eligibility for non-citizens, reducing state spending on public benefits, thus defunding essential programs.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill terminates Medicaid eligibility for applicants failing immigration verification, restricting access to healthcare benefits and public health programs.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates referral to ICE for failed immigration verification, terminating public benefits access. Directly increases state enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Citizenship & Naturalization Enforcement

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 737: VACCINES/VACCINATION: Provides relative to the requirement that certain students present evidence of immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of school entry

HB 737 removes the requirement for students to provide proof of meningococcal disease vaccination when entering certain schools or colleges. It directly affects students entering school for the first time, sixth grade, or postsecondary institutions. The bill amends Louisiana law by deleting specific mandates for meningococcal vaccination while keeping other required immunizations (like measles and polio) on the school entry schedule.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves mandatory meningococcal vaccination requirement for school entry, reducing public health enforcement. Aligns with 'oppose' criteria of limiting health mandates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 199: NURSING HOMES: Extends moratorium on nursing facilities (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 199 extends Louisiana's existing ban on new nursing facilities and additional nursing home beds until July 1, 2032, replacing the previous 2027 end date. This moratorium directly affects nursing facility developers, operators seeking to expand capacity, and communities planning new healthcare infrastructure. The bill modifies a specific statute (R.S. 40:2116.1(B)(1)) to set a new termination date, maintaining the current restriction without exceptions. The key change is simply prolonging the existing policy, with no new requirements or funding mechanisms added.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends moratorium on new nursing facilities, restricting healthcare infrastructure expansion. Limits future patient access to nursing home beds by preventing new capacity additions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 212: MALPRACTICE: Provides for filing procedures and amounts recoverable in medical malpractice actions. (8/1/26)

SB 212 sets a $500,000 cap on total recoverable damages in medical malpractice cases (excluding future medical care and lost income) and a separate $100,000 cap per health care provider for all claims involving one patient. The caps automatically adjust annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill requires courts to hold a post-trial hearing to determine if a patient can manage future medical care funds; if not, the Patient Compensation Fund covers those costs. This directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and health care providers facing liability.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareCaps total malpractice damages at $500k (excluding future care/lost income), limiting patient compensation and reducing liability for providers, directly restricting financial recourse in healthcare negligence cases.95% confidence

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