2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 178
BY SENATOR BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to facilitate the implementation of
mobile integrated emergency response programs and nonemergency community
paramedicine programs for the state of Louisiana and to create and administer a pilot
program in a limited geographic area for this purpose.
WHEREAS, it is well established that emergency care is one of the costliest forms
of healthcare delivery, and overutilization of emergency services is one of the major cost
drivers in our healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, several states have instituted mobile integrated emergency response
programs and nonemergency community paramedicine programs which use evidence-based
practices to improve emergency response times, facilitate post-hospital discharge care, deter
preventable hospital readmission, and provide for other benefits that address the problem of
unnecessary overutilization of emergency departments and the associated costs; and
WHEREAS, mobile integrated emergency response programs and nonemergency
community paramedicine programs can be cost savers and improve patient outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Health can rely upon the frameworks
already established in other states to promote and develop these programs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to facilitate the
implementation of mobile integrated emergency response programs and nonemergency
community paramedicine programs for the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to collaborate with various
stakeholders, including but not limited to healthcare providers, managed care organizations,
and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to facilitate and accomplish all of the
following:
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 178 ENROLLED
(1) Identify and overcome any impediments to the development, implementation, and
financing of mobile integrated emergency response programs and nonemergency community
paramedicine programs in the state of Louisiana.
(2) Create the standards for, implement, and administer a pilot program, in a manner
consistent with existing scope of practice laws, under the auspices of the Louisiana
Department of Health, in collaboration with Medicaid managed care organizations.
(3) Identify and obtain sources of financial support for the implementation of the
pilot program, provide participation incentives to Medicaid managed care organizations as
mutually agreed upon by the organizations and the Louisiana Department of Health, and
ensure that the participation program is actuarially and financially sound and beneficial to
the Medicaid managed care organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the implementation of the pilot program shall
be contingent on available and appropriate funding and reimbursement outside of the current
funding allocated for emergency medical transportation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall report
on the results of the pilot program, including but not limited to health outcomes and the
potential for shared savings, to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and shall
provide recommendations as necessary to facilitate the implementation of these programs.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2