The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Martha S. Hess.
DIGEST
SB 443 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Hewitt
Present law provides the duties of the Health and Social Services Estimating Conference to be
developing official information relating to the health and social service system of the state, including
forecasts of social and health service caseloads, as the conference determines is needed for the state
planning and budgeting system.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that the forecasts of social and health service
caseloads shall include but not be limited to the number of Medicaid enrollees, the categories under
which Medicaid eligibles enroll, and the utilization of healthcare services within the Medicaid
program.
Present law provides for the principals of the Conference as:
(1)A member of the professional staff of the office of the governor to be appointed by the
governor.
(2)A member of the professional staff of the division of administration to be appointed by the
commissioner of administration.
(3)A member of the professional staff of the legislature who shall have forecasting expertise to
be appointed by the president of the Senate.
(4)A member of the professional staff of the legislature who shall have forecasting expertise to
be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5)A member of the professional staff of the Department of Health and Hospitals who shall have
forecasting expertise to be appointed by the secretary of the Department of Health and
Hospitals.
(6)A member of the professional staff of the Department of Children and Family Services who
shall have forecasting expertise to be appointed by the secretary of the Department of
Children and Family Services.
Proposed law retains present law and adds as principals to the conference:
(1)The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, or his designee.
(2)The chairman of the House Committee on Health and Welfare, or his designee. (3) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, or his designee.
(4) The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, or his designee.
(5)The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or his designee.
(6)The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, or his designee.
Present law provides that the principal representing the office of the governor shall preside over
sessions of the conference.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that the conference shall meet at least three times per year as follows:
(1)In September, to establish an initial forecast for the ensuing fiscal year which shall be utilized
by the Department of Health and Hospitals in formulating its budget request.
(2)In December, to revise the forecast for the ensuing fiscal year which shall be utilized in the
preparation of the executive budget recommendations by the state budget office.
(3) In April, to revise the forecast for the ensuing fiscal year which shall be utilized by the
legislature in its adoption of a state budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 39:21.3(E)(1) and (2); adds R.S. 39:21.3(E)(4))