2016 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 193 BY SENATORS BARROW AND MILLS A RESOLUTION To urge and request the continuation of the working group to study the impact of nurse practitioners on enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas. WHEREAS, House Resolution No. 199 of the 2014 Regular Session created a working group to study the impact of nurse practitioners on enhancement of access to health care in medically underserved areas in Louisiana; and WHEREAS, the working group was to convene their first meeting by September 1, 2014, and submit a report containing their work and findings prior to the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana; and WHEREAS, the executive director of AARP, Inc. was to serve as the chairperson of the working group and facilitate the organization of the group; and WHEREAS, pursuant to House Resolution No.199, the working group terminated on March 1, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana is unable to locate a final report issued by this working group; and WHEREAS, the matter of nurse practitioner impact on access to health care is of utmost importance as Louisiana begins to implement Medicaid expansion and more individuals will have health coverage to obtain primary and preventive care; and WHEREAS, if the working group issued a final report, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana seeks a copy; and WHEREAS, if the working group did not submit a final report, it is the intent of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to reconvene the working group for the purpose of fulfilling its mission. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby request that AARP, Inc. submit a copy of the final report of House Resolution No. 199 of the 2014 Regular Session working group to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee or reconvene the group to fulfill its mission if a final report was not issued. Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 193 ENROLLED BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the working group must be reconvened to fulfill its mission, it 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. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson shall convene the first meeting of the working group on or before September 1, 2016. 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 Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 193 ENROLLED 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 written report of its work and findings to the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana not later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2017 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that legislative authority for the working group shall terminate on March 1, 2018. 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. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 3 of 3