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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 199
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
HEALTH CARE: Creates a working group to study the impact of nurse practitioners on
enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas
A RESOLUTION1
To create a working group to study the impact of nurse practitioners on enhancement of2
access to health care in medically underserved areas of this state.3
WHEREAS, Louisiana faces a severe shortage of primary care providers, and this4
shortage is projected to worsen as the state's population ages and demands more intensive5
levels of care; and6
WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Health and Human7
Services, nearly sixty percent of Louisiana residents have little to no access to primary care8
physicians where they live; and9
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks forty-eighth in the most recent America's Health10
Rankings report of the United Health Foundation; and11
WHEREAS, with respect to health insurance coverage in this state, estimates indicate12
that nearly four hundred thousand Louisiana residents will be newly insured under the13
Affordable Care Act and seeking primary care services; and14
WHEREAS, modernizing Louisiana's laws to allow advanced practice registered15
nurses such as nurse practitioners to provide care to the full extent of their education and16
training would result in improved access to health care, greater focus on primary and17
preventive care, and improved care coordination, particularly in medically underserved18
areas; and19
WHEREAS, developing a study to demonstrate nurse practitioners' ability to increase20
access by healthcare consumers to high-quality, safe, and affordable care in underserved21 HLS 14RS-5857 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 199
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areas of Louisiana would be prudent and highly beneficial for the future of health care in this1
state.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the3
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby create a working group to study the impact of nurse4
practitioners on enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas of this5
state.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall be comprised of the7
following members:8
(1) The executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing or his designee.9
(2) The commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance or his designee.10
(3) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals or his designee.11
(4) The president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners or his12
designee.13
(5) The president of the Louisiana Hospital Association or his designee.14
(6) The executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association or his15
designee.16
(7) The executive director of AARP Louisiana or his designee.17
(8) The executive director of the Rapides Foundation or his designee.18
(9) The executive director of the Greater New Orleans Foundation or his designee.19
(10) The executive director of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation or his designee.20
(11) The executive director of Baptist Community Ministries or his designee.21
(12) The co-lead of the Louisiana Action Coalition or his designee.22
(13) The executive director of the Advocacy Center or his designee.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve24
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be25
individually entitled by their respective organizations.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of AARP Louisiana or his27
designee shall serve as the chairperson of the working group and shall facilitate the28
organization of the group.29 HLS 14RS-5857 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 199
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may adopt rules of procedure,1
a work schedule, and any additional measures deemed necessary for the timely performance2
of its duties.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson shall convene the first meeting4
of the working group on or before September 1, 2014.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership of the6
working group shall constitute a quorum, and any official action by the group shall require7
an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may conduct meetings at9
such times as it deems necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively10
its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Resolution.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall make a report of its12
work and findings to the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana not later13
than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of14
Louisiana.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that legislative authority for the working group shall16
terminate on March 1, 2016.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the18
executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, the commissioner of the19
Louisiana Department of Insurance, the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals,20
the president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, the president of the21
Louisiana Hospital Association, the executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home22
Association, the executive director of AARP Louisiana, the executive director of the Rapides23
Foundation, the executive director of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the executive24
director of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the executive director of Baptist Community25
Ministries, the co-lead of the Louisiana Action Coalition, and the executive director of the26
Advocacy Center.27 HLS 14RS-5857 ORIGINAL
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Johnson HR No. 199
Creates and provides for a thirteen-member working group to study the impact of nurse
practitioners on enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas of
Louisiana, and to report its findings to the House of Representatives not later than 60 days
prior to the convening of the 2015 R.S.