ENROLLED
2016 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 36
BY REPRESENTATIVE GLOVER
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Insurance to compare and contrast health insurance
reimbursement rates to medical providers in the metropolitan regions of Louisiana
and with health insurance reimbursement rates in similar metropolitan regions of the
United States.
WHEREAS, affordable and available healthcare is a necessity for ensuring the health
and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, many areas of Louisiana are currently confronting, or will soon be
confronting, a shortage of doctors in all areas of medical practice; and
WHEREAS, the shortage of doctors is caused in some part by the higher
reimbursement rates available in some areas and not in other areas, resulting in physicians
practicing in areas with higher reimbursement rates; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana and the other states of the United States rely on health
insurance policies to pay for medical treatment; and
WHEREAS, health insurance premiums are directly tied to reimbursement rates; and
WHEREAS, every citizen is now required by federal law to obtain a policy of health
insurance that contains specified minimum coverages.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Insurance to
perform a study that compares and contrasts the health insurance reimbursement rates paid
to medical providers in each of the metropolitan regions of Louisiana and in similar
metropolitan regions of the United States.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance is urged to
determine whether higher reimbursement rates paid by health insurers in certain
metropolitan regions result in higher insurance premiums paid by the residents of those
regions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance is urged to
determine whether the ability of certain health systems to command higher reimbursement
rates than competing health systems is likely to lead to less competition and thereby increase
consumer health costs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance is urged to take
testimony from health insurers, doctors, hospital administrators, and other interested parties
as part of the study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance is urged to report
its findings to the House Committee on Insurance on or before January 15, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
commissioner of insurance.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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