2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 188
BY SENATOR BARROW
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study and determine the
desirability and feasibility of implementing the health home option in the medical
assistance program, known commonly as Medicaid.
WHEREAS, the mental health and well-being of the residents of Louisiana is a vital
issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the health of communities, families, and
economic stability; and
WHEREAS, nearly forty-four million adults in the United States live with mental
illness, and twenty percent of children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental health
disorder; and
WHEREAS, one in twenty-five individuals in the United States has lived with a
serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression; and
WHEREAS, studies note that individuals with serious mental illness die, on average,
twenty-five years earlier than individuals in the general population; and
WHEREAS, individuals with mental illness, behavioral health disorders, or
co-occurring substance use disorders can recover through treatment that includes
psychosocial therapy, clinical treatment, and peer support, alone or in combination with
behavioral, psychiatric, psychological, or integrated medical services; and
WHEREAS, parents, families, and caregivers are allies in recovery and serve as
critical members of the care delivery team; and
WHEREAS, the Affordable Care Act authorizes health homes as a Medicaid state
plan option that provides a comprehensive system of care coordination for Medicaid
enrollees with chronic conditions including serious mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid health homes provide states with an important opportunity
to integrate physical and behavioral healthcare for beneficiaries with complex care needs by
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 188 ENROLLED
integrating and coordinating all primary, acute, and behavioral health care and long-term
services and supports to treat the "whole person" across the individual's lifespan; and
WHEREAS, the unintended consequence of untreated mental illness results in a
negative financial and social impact on Louisiana including an ever-increasing burden on
the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, the legislature declares that, due to compelling moral and economic
reasons, it is in the best interest of Louisiana to study and evaluate the state's current
statewide system of healthcare delivery for Medicaid enrollees with serious mental illness.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study and determine the
desirability and feasibility of implementing the health home option in the medical assistance
program, known commonly as Medicaid.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall make a thorough evaluation
of the feasibility and desirability of implementing a Medicaid health home state plan option
to complement the current state medical assistance program and provide comprehensive care
coordination for Medicaid beneficiaries with a serious mental illness, including, at a
minimum, all of the following services:
(1) Comprehensive care management.
(2) Care coordination.
(3) Health promotion.
(4) Comprehensive transitional care and follow-up.
(5) Patient and family support.
(6) Referral to community and social support services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall endeavor to create a health
home plan that achieves the prudent and efficient use of currently available services without
expanding the scope of the covered services under the Louisiana medical assistance
program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall include in its evaluation an
assessment of the financial, social, and medical impacts of implementing the health home
option in the medical assistance program, including both potential costs and savings and the
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 188 ENROLLED
estimated number of Medicaid enrollees who would qualify for assistance. Further, the
department may render objective, fiscally feasible recommendations for the implementation
of policies that could be adopted by the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation if necessary, to the Senate
Health and Welfare Committee and the Senate Finance Committee no later than thirty days
prior to the convening of the 2018 Regular Session of the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3