LSMS Capsules | 2025 | Legislative Review

EXECUTIVE BRANCH IMPACTS

LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO AUTO INSURANCE

INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

POSITION RESULT

INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

POSITION RESULT

"The Appropriations Bill includes two specific items that are positive for physicians: 1- Increase the Medicaid professional service fee schedule to 85% of Medicare.

"Modifies comparitive fault in statute as it relates to a plaintiff's fault in the injury to say: - If the plaintiff is 51% at fault or greater, no recovery is allowed. - If the plaintiff is less than 51% at fault, the damages are reduced by that percentage." Restores a plaintiff’s obligation to prove all elements of a claim for damages, including causation - effectively overruling the Housely Presumption. Increases transparency in the calculation of medical damages in civil litigation by allowing courts to consider both the amounts billed and actually paid for medical care. A section that established a 300% of medicare rate as reasonable for medical expenses was removed on the Senate floor at physicians' request. This moved LSMS from Oppose to Monitor.

HB 1 by Rep. Jack McFarland

Act 1. Effective July 1, 2025

HB 431 by Rep. Emily Chenevert

Act 15. Effective January 1, 2026

Support

Monitor

2- Includes funding for a Physician Loan Repayment Program in Primary Care."

This is a great bill! Focuses on coordination of benefits, administrative simplification and prohibits MCOs from downcoding unless LDH promulgates rules. Establishes a Medicaid Trust fund for Additction Recovery to be used to enhance payments for addiction providers. HB 690 was a substitute for HB 377 focused on Emergency Use Authorized vaccines and medical equipment. LSMS was heavily opposed to HB 377 which was deferred in its originating committee. Rep. Owen came back with a request to have LDH promulgate rules regarding information for patients on EUA vaccines and equipment.

Active 206. Effective August 1, 2025.

HB 565 by Rep. Annie Spell

HB 450 by Rep. Michael Melerine

Act 18. Effective May 28, 2025

Support

Monitor

Act 392. In effect as of June 20, 2025.

HB 658 by Rep. Chris Turner

Oppose

Support

SB 231 by Sen. Mike Reese

Act 466. Effective January 1, 2026.

Monitor

Act 396. In effect as of June 20, 2025.

HB 690 by Rep. Chuck Owen

Monitor

CAUSES OF ACTION, CRIMES AND MORE…

Failed in House Health and Welfare.

SB 2 by Sen. Mike Fesi

Sought to remove fluoride from public water systems.

Oppose

INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

POSITION RESULT

As filed, the bill allowed for a civil suit - outside of the Medical Malpractice Act - against any person who performs, causes or substantially facilitates an abortion by administering, prescribing, dispensing, distributing, selling or coordinating the sale of an abortion-inducing drug a person in Louisiana. Sen. Beth Mizell successfully amended the bill in Senate Jud A to say a suit cannot be brought against "a healthcare provider licensed to practice medicine in this state," moving LSMS to a Monitor position. Allows for voluntary admission through the use of an emergency certificate for patients willing to seek help for mental health needs.

SB 14 focuses on nutrition and bans certain ingredients in schools. Unfortunately it mandates physicians, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners to take nutrition classes as part of CME. It was amended to only require 1 hour every 4 years. LSMS requested removal of the CME. Our oppose position was specific to the CME, not the remaining provisions of the bill.

Oppose

SB 14 by Sen. McMath

Act 463. CME effective 2026.

Oppose

HB 575 by Rep. Lauren Ventrella

Act 383. Effective August 1, 2025.

Monitor

SB 182 by Sen. Kirk Talbot

Suspends the use of prior authorization for Medicaid recpients during a declared emergency.

Act 440. Effective August 1, 2025.

Support

SB 120 by Rep. Larry Selders

Act 421. Effective August 1, 2025.

Support

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE

INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

POSITION RESULT

SB 154 by Sen. Jay Morris

Criminlizes the possession or distribution of kratom.

Act 41. Effective August 1, 2025.

Support

SB 156 by Sen. Thomas Pressly

Modernises Louisiana's In Vitro Fertilization statutes.

Act 342. Effective August 1, 2025.

Support

This became a "wrap up" bill for workers' compensation. It establishes a legislative task force to study issues surrounding workers' compensation and make recommendations.

Enrolled. Sent to Secretary of State.

SR 128 by Sen. Patrick McMath

Requires blood testing for HIV and Syphillis as well as screeing for substance use disorder at certain times during pregancy. Requires insurance to cover the associated costs.

Monitor

Act 437. In effect as of June 20, 2025.

SB 174 by Sen. Katrina Andrews

Monitor

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