ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 199
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
A RESOLUTION
To create a working group to study the impact of nurse practitioners on enhancement of
access to health care in medically underserved areas of this state.
WHEREAS, Louisiana faces a severe shortage of primary care providers, and this
shortage is projected to worsen as the state's population ages and demands more intensive
levels of care; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, nearly sixty percent of Louisiana residents have little to no access to primary care
physicians where they live; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks forty-eighth in the most recent America's Health
Rankings report of the United Health Foundation; and
WHEREAS, with respect to health insurance coverage in this state, estimates indicate
that nearly four hundred thousand Louisiana residents will be newly insured under the
Affordable Care Act and seeking primary care services; and
WHEREAS, modernizing Louisiana's laws to allow advanced practice registered
nurses such as nurse practitioners to provide care to the full extent of their education and
training would result in improved access to health care, greater focus on primary and
preventive care, and improved care coordination, particularly in medically underserved
areas; and
WHEREAS, developing a study to demonstrate nurse practitioners' ability to increase
access by healthcare consumers to high-quality, safe, and affordable care in underserved
areas of Louisiana would be prudent and highly beneficial for the future of health care in this
state. ENROLLEDHR NO. 199
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby create a working group to study the impact of nurse
practitioners on enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas of this
state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall be comprised of the
following members:
(1) The executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing or his designee.
(2) The commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance or his designee.
(3) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals or his designee.
(4) The president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners or his
designee.
(5) The president of the Louisiana Hospital Association or his designee.
(6) The executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association or his
designee.
(7) The executive director of AARP Louisiana or his designee.
(8) The executive director of the Rapides Foundation or his designee.
(9) The executive director of the Greater New Orleans Foundation or his designee.
(10) The executive director of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation or his designee.
(11) The executive director of Baptist Community Ministries or his designee.
(12) The co-lead of the Louisiana Action Coalition or his designee.
(13) The executive director of the Advocacy Center or his designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled by their respective organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of AARP Louisiana or his
designee shall serve as the chairperson of the working group and shall facilitate the
organization of the group.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may adopt rules of procedure,
a work schedule, and any additional measures deemed necessary for the timely performance
of its duties. ENROLLEDHR NO. 199
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson shall convene the first meeting
of the working group on or before September 1, 2014.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership of the
working group shall constitute a quorum, and any official action by the group shall require
an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may conduct meetings at
such times as it deems necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively
its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall make a report of its
work and findings to the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana not later
than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that legislative authority for the working group shall
terminate on March 1, 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, the commissioner of the
Louisiana Department of Insurance, the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals,
the president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, the president of the
Louisiana Hospital Association, the executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home
Association, the executive director of AARP Louisiana, the executive director of the Rapides
Foundation, the executive director of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the executive
director of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the executive director of Baptist Community
Ministries, the co-lead of the Louisiana Action Coalition, and the executive director of the
Advocacy Center.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES