We have now completed the third week of session, and bills continue to move very quickly through committees and on the House and Senate floors. We are seeing bills relative to advancing the practice of other medical professionals moving favorably, so the pharmacy community is watching this closely. Several other bills relative to taxes, recreational marijuana, cannabis and hemp continue to be heard in committees. LPA will keep you updated with committee schedules as things progress at the capital.

Tracking Report and Bill History

HB 1 Zeringue, Jerome "Zee"(R)
Provides for the ordinary operating expenses of state government for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Bill History: 05-03-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Appropriations

HB 91 Echols, Michael (F)(R)
Authorizes transportation network companies to provide nonemergency medical transportation services through the state Medicaid program.
Bill History: 04-28-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-28-21 H Voluntarily Deferred in Committee House Health and Welfare

HB 181 Miller, Dustin(D)
Provides relative to admitting privileges for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
Companions: HB 485
Miller, Dustin (Refiled from 46R Session)

Bill History: 05-04-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare

HB 187 Bagley, Larry(R)
Amends laws relative to home health care.
Bill History: 04-28-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-28-21 H Reported favorably from committee on House Health and Welfare
04-29-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-29-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 201 Turner, Christopher (F)(R)
Requires indemnification of healthcare providers by Medicaid managed care organizations in certain circumstances.

HB 228 Carrier, Dewith (F)(R)
Provides relative to restroom access for individuals with certain conditions.

HB 243 Newell, Candace (F)(D)
Provides for the decriminalization of marijuana possession and distribution.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 A.M. RM. 6 - House Administration of Criminal Justice
04-27-21 H Reported favorably from committee on House Administration of Criminal Justice
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 244 Turner, Christopher (F)(R)
Provides for the regulation of pharmacy services administrative organizations.
Bill History:04-28-21 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m. Rm. 2 - House Insurance
04-28-21 H Reported favorably from committee as amended House Insurance
04-29-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-29-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 270 Magee, Tanner(R) Mills, Fred(R)
Provides for definitions and exemptions relative to telemedicine and telehealth.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-27-21 H Reported favorably from committee as amended House Health and Welfare
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 356 Bacala, Tony(R)
Requires regular evaluation of and reporting on Medicaid administration services.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-27-21 H Vote failed in committee - House Health and Welfare

HB 391 Magee, Tanner(R)
Authorizes the recommendation of medical marijuana in raw or crude form and limits the dispensing of such product.
Bill History: 04-26-21 H Reported favorably from committee on House Health and Welfare
04-27-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-27-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 442 Bagley, Larry(R)
Provides relative to the licensed profession of physician assistant.
Bill History: 04-28-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-28-21 H Reported favorably from committee as amended House Health and Welfare
04-29-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-29-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 444 Bishop, Stuart(R)
Provides for the termination of certain tax exemptions, exclusions, credits, deductions, and other tax incentives.

HB 460 Hollis, Paul(R)
Establishes the Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Louisiana Department of Health.
Bill History:04-28-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-28-21 H Reported favorably from committee on House Health and Welfare
04-29-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-29-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 472 Marino, Joseph(I)
Connick, Patrick (F)(R)
Provides relative to specialty licenses for the production of medical marijuana and the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.
Bill History: 05-04-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare

HB 485 Zeringue, Jerome "Zee"(R)
Establishes the Medicaid Managed Care Authority as a policymaking and oversight body for the Medicaid managed care program.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare
04-27-21 H Voluntarily Deferred in Committee House Health and Welfare

HB 486 DeVillier, Phillip(R)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to state sales and use tax exemptions for food for home consumption, utilities for residential use, and prescription drugs.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for At Adj., Rm. 6 - House Ways and Means
04-27-21 H Voluntarily Deferred in Committee House Ways and Means

HB 495 Ivey, Barry(R) Boudreaux, Gerald(D)
Allows full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses.
Bill History: 04-26-21 H Reported favorably from committee as amended House Health and Welfare
04-27-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-27-21 H Passed to third reading

HB 504 Wright, Mark(R)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to sales and use tax exemptions for gasoline, diesel fuels, special fuels, food for home consumption, certain residential utilities, and prescription drugs.

HB 524 Nelson, Richard (F)(R)
Provides for decriminalization of marijuana and regulation of marijuana for recreational use. Became HB 699.
Bill History: 04-27-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 A.M. RM. 6 - House Administration of Criminal Justice
04-27-21 H Reported from committee as substituted House Administration of Criminal Justice
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Substituted by - see HB 699
 
HB 567 Jordan, Edmond(D)
Repeals the marijuana tax levied on certain dealers and repeals provisions related to tax stamps which evidence payment of tax.
Bill History: 05-03-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 A.M. RM. 6 - House Ways and Means

HB 575 Firment, Gabe (F)(R)
Restricts prescribing and dispensing of certain drugs to delay puberty and prohibits withholding of certain information from the minor's parent or legal guardian.
Bill History: 04-30-21 H Removed from hearing 05/04/21 - House Health and Welfare

HB 578 Amedee, Beryl(R)
Provides relative to disclosure of certain information relative to abortion pill reversal.
Bill History: 05-05-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 5 - House Health and Welfare

HB 588 Butler, Rhonda (F)(R)
Provides relative to Medicaid services.
Bill History: 04-22-21 H Withdrawn

HB 605 Wright, Mark(R)
Provides relative to sales and use tax reform.

HB 629 Ivey, Barry(R)
Provides relative to individual income tax, corporation income tax, corporation franchise tax, and ad valorem tax.
Bill History:04-26-21 H Laid out for consideration in the House at 3:04pm
04-26-21 H Returned to the calendar - subject to call

HB 637 Newell, Candace (F)(D)
Provides relative to the regulation of cannabis.
Bill History: 04-29-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 3 - House Agriculture
04-28-21 H Discharged from committee House Agriculture
04-28-21 H Recommitted House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 640 Schexnayder, Clay(R)
Provides relative to industrial hemp.
Bill History: 04-29-21 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m. Rm. 3 - House Agriculture
04-29-21 H Reported favorably from committee as amended House Agriculture

SB 69 Mizell, Beth(R)
Creates the crime of aggravated distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.
Bill History: 04-27-21 S Meeting set for 10:00 A.M. RM. F - Senate Judiciary C
04-27-21 S Reported favorably from committee on Senate Judiciary C
04-28-21 S Set on the Senate Orders
04-28-21 S Passed to third reading
04-29-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 9:47am
04-29-21 S Passed (Vote: Y: 31/N: 0)
04-29-21 H Received in the House

SB 83 Talbot, Kirk (F)(R)
Provides relative to the Health Reinsurance Association of Louisiana.
Bill History: 04-28-21 S Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. Rm. A-B - Senate Insurance
04-26-21 S Removed from hearing 04/28/21 - Senate Insurance

SB 94 Harris, Jimmy (F)(D)
Provides relative to insurance cost-sharing practices.
Companions: SB 289
Barrow, Regina (Refiled from 46R Session)


SB 107 Boudreaux, Gerald(D)
Provides relative to the composition of the controlled dangerous substances schedules.
Bill History: 04-22-21 H Referred to House Committee on House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 119 Tarver, Gregory(D)
Provides relative to health insurance coverage for mammography.
Bill History: 04-26-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 4:36pm
04-26-21 S Passed (Vote: Y: 37/N: 0)
04-27-21 H Received in the House
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Referred to House Committee on House Insurance

SB 125 Morris, Jay (F)(R)
Exempts certain infused prescription drugs from local sales tax.
Bill History: 04-26-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 4:10pm
04-26-21 S Passed (Vote: Y: 37/N: 0)
04-27-21 H Received in the House
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Referred to House Committee on House Ways and Means

SB 136 Mills, Fred(R)
Provides for promulgation of emergency rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Bill History: 04-28-21 S Meeting set for 9:30 A.M. RM. F - Senate and Governmental Affairs
04-28-21 S Reported favorably from committee as amended Senate and Governmental Affairs
04-29-21 S Set on the Senate Orders
04-29-21 S Passed to third reading

SB 137 Talbot, Kirk (F)(R)
Provides relative to Medicaid managed care for individuals receiving long-term services and supports.

SB 168 Mills, Fred(R)
Provides relative to controlled dangerous substances.
Bill History: 04-22-21 H Referred to House Committee on House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 176 McMath, Patrick (F)(R)
Provides relative to the Louisiana Medical Assistance Program.
Bill History: 04-28-21 S Meeting set for 10:00 A.M. HAINKEL RM. - Senate Health and Welfare
04-28-21 S Reported favorably from committee on Senate Health and Welfare
04-29-21 S Set on the Senate Orders
04-29-21 S Recommitted Senate Finance

SB 181 Boudreaux, Gerald(D)
Provides relative to health coverage modifications and unfair deceptive practices.
Bill History: 04-26-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 4:44pm
04-26-21 S Passed Over on Final Passage
04-28-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 4:06pm
04-28-21 S 2 Floor amendment(s) adopted
04-28-21 S Passed (Vote: Y: 36/N: 0)
04-29-21 H Received in the House

SB 191 Cloud, Heather (F)(R)
Provides relative to coverage of certain physician-administered drugs and related services.
Bill History: 04-26-21 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate at 4:45pm
04-26-21 S Passed (Vote: Y: 38/N: 0)
04-27-21 H Received in the House
04-28-21 H Set on the House Orders
04-28-21 H Referred to House Committee on House Insurance
04-30-21 H Removed from hearing 05/05/21 - House Insurance

SB 198 Cathey, Jr., Stewart (F)(R)
Prohibits denying access to state facilities to persons based upon whether they have received COVID-19 vaccinations.
Bill History:04-28-21 S Meeting set for 9:30 A.M. RM. F - Senate and Governmental Affairs
04-28-21 S Reported favorably from committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs
04-29-21 S Set on the Senate Orders
04-29-21 S Passed to third reading

SB 218 Mills, Fred(R)
Provides relative to the payment of pharmacy claims.
Bill History: 04-28-21 S Meeting set for 10:00 A.M. HAINKEL RM. - Senate Health and Welfare
04-28-21 S Reported favorably from committee as amended Senate Health and Welfare
04-29-21 S Set on the Senate Orders
04-29-21 S Passed to third reading

The Louisiana Legislature has just over two weeks remaining in the regular session which by law must adjourn on June 1.  Things are moving quickly. Legislation that has not yet passed its first committee and floor vote by next week will risk running out of time of final passage.

The Senate heard most of their priority bills this week and those have progressed to the House this week. Today the House is currently hearing 130 bills on the floor and hope to get through those today but they may have to work tomorrow if they are not able to get through the list today (House orders: here).  

There was several bills impacting pharmacy (by Rep. Jordan that we notified members about this week) scheduled to be heard in the Insurance and Health and Welfare committees,  but due to a very tight schedule and social distancing requirements using overflow rooms, these bills were not heard.  The bills are rescheduled for the coming week. 

The Budget and HB2 are being negotiated but it is likely that a special session will be needed in June to finalize the budget.  Louisiana budget revenues are projected to take a $1 billion hit as the coronavirus hammers the state's businesses and workers, according to economists that testified before The Revenue Estimating Conference, on Monday.   The Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel that decides how much money the state has to spend on things like colleges, K-12 schools, health care and a host of other state services, voted to adopt a revenue forecast that is about $1 billion lower than the previous forecast. 

We will continue to update you on matter relative to pharmacy. 

Click here for activity.

Visit the Committee Meeting Schedule page to see what bills will be in committee the week of May 11-15, 2020.

Louisiana's pre-session bill filing deadline concluded Friday, February 28, 2020 and we have reviewed all 1122 instruments filed to date and have tracked bills of interest.

Each legislator is still allowed to introduce up to five additional bills before March 31, 2020.  As new bills are introduced we will be adding them to your tracking chart to be included in the Friday Legislative Tracking Report emailed to all LPA members. 

LPA will keep you advised through these reports as instruments we are tracking are scheduled for committee hearings. We will send out weekly updates every Friday highlighting weekly activity. Any urgent matters will be sent out as needed.

Members may access reports on the LPA Legislative Report site (log in required).

Regulation Revision Committee Meeting

Mr. Marty McKay, Chair of the Board's Regulation Revision Committee, has ordered and called a meeting of the committee for 8:30 am on Wed., Jan. 22, 2020 at the Board office, which is located at 3388 Brentwood Drive in Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1700.  The agenda for that meeting is posted here, as well as in the Calendar and Public Library sections of the Board's website.  Copies of the regulatory proposals to be considered at the meeting are available on the Board's webiste: Public Library > Rulemaking Activity > Regulatory Proposals and Special Regulatory Project 454-2019 - Comprehensive Rule Review.

Regulatory Projects 2019-1B through 2019-18

The Board has initiated the formal rulemaking process for 17 regulatory projects by filing the 1st Reports with the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.

• Project 2019-1B ~ Licensing of Marijuana Pharmacies

• Project 2019-2 ~ Pharmacy Immunizations

• Project 2019-3 ~ Investigational Drugs

• Project 2019-4 ~ Telepharmacy Dispensing Sites

• Project 2019-5 ~ Correctional Center Pharmacy

• Project 2019-6 ~ [deferred to future date]

• Project 2019-7 ~ Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy

• Project 2019-8 ~ Dispensing of Prescription Refills

• Project 2019-9 ~ Delays of Licensure Examinations

• Project 2019-10 ~ License Transfer for Pharmacy Technicians

• Project 2019-11 ~ Continuing Education Records

• Project 2019-12 ~ Partial Fills of Schedule II Prescriptions

• Project 2019-13 ~ Controlled Substance License for Third Party Logistics Providers

• Project 2019-14 ~ Rulemaking Procedures

• Project 2019-15 ~ Drug Disposal by Pharmacies

• Project 2019-16 ~ Pharmacy Compounding

• Project 2019-17 ~ Pharmacy Records

• Project 2019-18 ~ Cannabis Metered Dose Inhaler

The Louisiana Register will publish the Notice of Intent for all of these projects in their November 20, 2019 edition.  Those notices will reference a public hearing on December 27, 2019 to receive comments and testimony on the proposed rules.  The Board is scheduled to evaluate the comments and testimony from the public hearing during their subsequent meeting on February 5, 2020.  You can track the progress of these regulatory projects at the relevant page on the Board's website: www.pharmacy.la.gov > Public Library > Rulemaking Activity > Regulatory Projects.

Notice of Rulemaking Activity

LABP Regulation Revision Committee Meeting -October 17, 2019

The LABP Committee Chair has ordered and called a meeting of the Regulation Revision Committee. Mr. Marty McKay is scheduled to convene the meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the Board office, which is located at 3388 Brentwood Drive in Baton Rouge, La. 70809.

A copy of the agenda is available here as well as the Board's website [Calendar and Public Library sections]. Copies of draft regulatory and legislative proposals under consideration by the Regulation Revision Committee are also available in the Public Library on the Board's website [Public Library > Rulemaking Activity > Regulatory Proposals & Regulatory Projects & Legislative Proposals].

Notice of Rulemaking Activity

USP-800 Subcommittee Meeting
&
Regulation Revision Committee Meeting

The Committee Chair has ordered and called a meeting of the USP-800 Subcommittee as well as the Regulation Revision Committee.  Mr. Marty McKay will convene the meeting of the USP-800 Subcommittee at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at the Board office, which is located at 3388 Brentwood Drive in Baton Rouge, La. 70809.  He will convene the meeting of the Regulation Revision Committee at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Board office. 

Copies of the agendas for the June 12 meeting of the USP-800 Subcommittee and the June 13 meeting of the Regulation Revision Committee are available here as well as the Public Library on the Board's website.  Copies of draft regulatory proposals under consideration by the Regulation Revision Committee are also available in the Public Library on the Board's website [Public Library > Rulemaking Activity > Regulatory Proposals].

Notice of Rulemaking Activity

Regulatory Project 2018-2 ~ LA Uniform Prior Authorization Form

The Board published its Notice of Intent regarding  promulgating a new rule to establish the Louisiana Uniform Prescription Drug Prior Authorization Form. The Rule will require all pharmacies, prescribers, and third-party payors to use this form when prior authorizations for prescription drugs are required. The Notice of Intent was published in the August 2018 edition of the Louisiana Register. The board then convened a joint public hearing with the La. State Board of Medical Examiners on September 28 to receive public comments and testimony on the proposed rule and form. The Board of Pharmacy received letters from two commentators with questions, comments, and recommendations; we have replied to the commentators.  The Board has determined to make no changes to the original proposed rule and form, and further, to move forward with the promulgation process.

The Board has filed its Second Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Welfare.  Subject to review by that committee, the Board proposes to publish the original proposed rule and form as a Final Rule in the December 2018 edition of the Louisiana Register with a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019.

Resources

 LA Senators by Committee  | LA Representatives by Committee  | Legislature Homepage

How does a bill become a law in Louisiana?

The following Rule will appear in the June 20, 2018 issue of the Louisiana Register:

Medicaid Program

• Department of Health
  
• Bureau of Health Services Financing
• Medicaid Program
  
• Repeal of Reimbursement Rate Reductions and Program and Services Terminations
• Effective June 16, 2018, the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing rescinds the following Emergency Rules which were published in the May 20, 2018 edition of the Louisiana Register on pages 895-904: 
        1. Adult Behavioral Health Services—Termination of Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment Services and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (LAC 50:XXXIII.Chapters 63 and 65); 
        2. Ambulatory Surgical Centers (LAC 50:XI.Chapter 75); 
        3. Behavioral Health Services—Elimination of Outpatient Substance Use Disorders Services (LAC 50:XXXIII.14101, 14303 and 14501); 
        4. Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments (LAC 50:V.2707 and 3103); 
        5. Medicaid Eligibility—Medically Needy Program Termination (LAC 50:III.939 and 2313); 
        6. Medicaid Eligibility—Provisional Medicaid Program Termination (LAC 50:III.2305); 
        7. Medicaid Eligibility—Special Income Level Eligibility Termination; 
        8. Nursing Facilities—Reimbursement Methodology (LAC 50:II.20001); 
        9. Nursing Facilities—Reimbursement Methodology - Leave of Absence Days (LAC 50:II.10147 and 20021); and 10. Pediatric Day Health Care Program Termination (LAC 50:XV.Chapters 275-281). 
  
  

View the full Emergency Rule here. This rule will appear in the June 20, 2018 issue of the Louisiana Register.

Notice of Rulemaking Activity

Regulatory Project 2018-1 ~ Pharmacy Benefit Managers

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy has initiated the rulemaking process to adopt a new sub-chapter of rules relative to the licensure and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers.  The proposed rule will require pharmacy benefit managers operating within the state of Louisiana to obtain a pharmacy permit from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and to comply with the Board's rules for certain of their activities construed to be within the practice of pharmacy.  The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy has submitted its First Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Welfare.  As indicated in the Notice of Intent scheduled for publication in the May 20, 2018 edition of the Louisiana Register, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will conduct a public hearing on June 25, 2018 to receive comments and testimony on the proposed rule.  You can follow the progress of this regulatory project on the Board's website.

APhA urgently needs your help in reaching out to members of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee to request the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (H.R. 592) and pharmacists’ services be included in an upcoming hearing on opioids. Having this bill included in this hearing will not only satisfy a step House leadership identified as necessary before floor consideration, but also provide an opportunity to highlight how patient access to pharmacists’ services can help address the opioid epidemic.

 Take action today by sending one of APhA's pre-written emails to your Representative. All you have to do is fill out your contact information, view the email, and click submit.

Take Action Now!

 Your continued engagement is an essential part of the efforts to get provider status legislation passed. Thank you for your support!

Louisiana Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students:
Meet us at the Capitol on Monday, April 23, 2018, to show your support for the pharmacy profession! ULM and Xavier Pharmacy students will both be participating at the event!
Wear your white coat to improve pharmacy awareness.

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy Regulation Revision Committee is meeting Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Included on the agenda is continued discussion relative to regulation for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

LPA will be in attendance in support of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy regulating PBMs. Please send your feedback on this issue directly to the Board of Pharmacy. 

We will report on any progress made during the meeting.  You may view the full agenda here

Notice of Rulemaking Activity

Second Report to Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Welfare

Regulatory Project 2016-4 - Standing Orders for Distribution of Naloxone
Authorized by Act 370 of the 2016 Legislature, the proposed rule will allow pharmacists to distribute naloxone and other opioid antagonists pursuant to non-patient-specific standing orders issued by medical practitioners with prescriptive authority for naloxone.  After publishing the Notice of Intent in the January 2017 edition of the Louisiana Register, the Board held a public hearing on March 1 to receive comments and testimony on the proposed rule.  The Board received no comments or testimony on the proposed rule.  The Board considered the absence of comments and testimony during their subsequent meeting on March 14 and determined no further revisions to the original proposed rule were necessary.  The Board has filed its 2nd Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Welfare.  Subject to review by the committee, the Board proposes to publish the original proposed rule as a Final Rule in the May 20, 2017 edition of the Louisiana Register with an immediate effective date, at which time the currently-pending Emergency Rule will be cancelled.

Regulatory Project 2016-5 - Reinstatement of CDS License
The Board has proposed an amendment to its current rule relative to the reinstatement process for CDS licenses held by medical practitioners where the Board has suspended or revoked the CDS license pursuant to disciplinary action on the underlying medical license by the medical licensing agency.  After publishing the Notice of Intent in the January 2017 edition of the Louisiana Register, the Board held a public hearing on March 1 to receive comments and testimony on the proposed rule amendment.  The Board received no comments or testimony on the proposed rule amendment.  The Board considered the absence of comments and testimony during their subsequent meeting on March 14 and determined no further revisions to the original proposed rule amendment were necessary.  The Board has filed its 2nd Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Welfare.  Subject to review by the committee, the Board proposes to publish the original proposed rule amendment as a Final Rule in the May 20, 2017 edition of the Louisiana Register with an immediate effective date, at which time the currently-pending Emergency Rule will be cancelled.

Rx Impact is Asking That You Join Them in Taking A Stand For Better Healthcare!

Do Your Part to Promote Provider Status!

 Engage in Their Biggest Letter-Writing Campaign Ever!

The pharmacy community is calling on YOU to participate in the biggest letter-writing campaign ever to promote provider status legislation (H.R. 592/ S.109)!

As Congress considers reforming the Affordable Care Act (ACA), pharmacy services in Medicaid and Medicare should be protected to ensure beneficiary access to quality and lower-cost care. Community pharmacy can play a key role in ensuring the success of efforts to reform these programs in helping guarantee access to affordable, high-quality care as well as using scarce resources more wisely. Enhancing access to patient care in communities, through measures like provider status, could be especially beneficial, particularly for patients with chronic conditions.

We will not be able to build support for these critical pro-patient and pro-pharmacy policies without YOUR help! Visit our grassroots website, and by simply typing in your name and address once, you will send a personalized letter to your elected lawmakers in Washington.

A few months ago the community sent nearly 5,000 letters to promote provider status legislation. Join us and make the "NACDS RxIMPACT" to send even more! Our profession, our industry and our patients are depending on you. If you have any questions about this communication, please contact Heidi Ecker, NACDS Director of Government Affairs and Grassroots Programs via email at Hecker@nacds.org or phone at 703/837-4121.

Click here to Take Action Now!

Let Your Voice Be Heard!