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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175
BY SENATOR BROOME
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective
means by which to ensure open access to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C medications by
persons enrolled in the Medicaid managed care program known as "Bayou Health".
WHEREAS, the provisions of Subpart 3 of Part I of Title 50 of the Louisiana
Administrative Code, LAC 50:I.3101 et seq., authorize the Department of Health and
Hospitals, hereafter referred to as the "department", to implement a system of Medicaid
managed care known officially as "coordinated care networks"; and
WHEREAS, this Medicaid managed care program is known commonly as "Bayou
Health"; and
WHEREAS, the stated purposes of Bayou Health are to achieve cost savings and
promote better health outcomes by providing Medicaid funding to private insurance
companies to manage health care delivery for a majority of the Medicaid enrollees of this
state; and
WHEREAS, unlike in the segment of the Medicaid program that the department still
manages directly, the pharmacy subprogram of which is regulated by R.S. 46:153.3, the
Bayou Health plans are not required to utilize pharmaceutical and therapeutics committees
to develop prescription drug formularies through an open process which allows for public
input; and
WHEREAS, the lack of transparency in the development of the Bayou Health plans'
drug formularies is of particular concern to Medicaid enrollees who live with HIV/AIDS or
hepatitis C, or are coinfected with these diseases; and
WHEREAS, due to the pronounced fiscal and public health benefits of effective
disease management and preventive care for medically needy persons living with HIV/AIDS SR NO. 175 ENROLLED
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or hepatitis C, or who are coinfected, it is in the best interest of this state to remove
unnecessary impediments to such care; and
WHEREAS, open access to necessary prescription medications is a critical
component of disease management and preventive care for all persons living with HIV/AIDS
or hepatitis C, or who are coinfected.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most
effective means by which to ensure open access to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C medications
by enrollees in the Medicaid managed care program known as "Bayou Health".
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall provide the findings of this
study in the form of a report to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on or before
December 31, 2013.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE