HLS 19RS-2986 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 252
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHAD BROWN
INSURANCE/HEALTH: Requests the Department of Insurance to study and report on
health insurance benefits for acupuncture services
1 A RESOLUTION
2To authorize and request the Department of Insurance to study and report on the status of
3 health insurance coverage for acupuncture services in Louisiana and other states and
4 to submit a written report of findings to the House Committee on Insurance and the
5 Senate Committee on Insurance by not later than February 1, 2020.
6 WHEREAS, R.S. 37:1356 defines the practice of acupuncture as the treatment by
7means of mechanical, thermal, or electrical stimulation effected by the insertion of needles
8at a point or combination of points on the surface of the body predetermined on the basis of
9the theory of the physiological interrelationship of body organs with an associated point or
10combination of points, or the application of heat or electrical stimulation to such point or
11points, for the purpose of inducing anesthesia, relieving pain, or healing diseases, disorders
12and dysfunctions of the body, or achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect; and
13 WHEREAS, the practice of acupuncture provides important health benefits to the
14residents of this state; and
15 WHEREAS, the practice of acupuncture has become a well-established, widely-used,
16viable modality across the United States; and
17 WHEREAS, acupuncture has been shown to have a relevant effect on chronic pain
18which persists over time that cannot be solely explained by placebo effects according to
19research by the Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration, published in the May 2018 edition of
20The Journal of Pain, the official journal of the American Pain Society; and
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HR NO. 252
1 WHEREAS, acupuncture is a nonaddictive alternative to opioids for pain
2management; and
3 WHEREAS, the individuals providing acupuncture services are licensed and the
4practice of acupuncture is regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
5pursuant to R.S. 37:1356 et seq.; and
6 WHEREAS, the Department of Insurance works diligently to balance the needs of
7insurance consumers with the insurance industry's need to run a competitive business; and
8 WHEREAS, as a regulator, the department enforces the Louisiana Insurance Code,
9thereby creating an environment conducive to a competitive marketplace for the sale of
10insurance products and services while providing Louisiana residents with the maximum
11amount of consumer protection.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
13Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Insurance to study
14and report on the status of health insurance coverage for acupuncture services in Louisiana
15and other states.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance, in conducting the
17study, shall do all of the following:
18 (1)Survey the availability and extent of health insurance coverage for
19acupuncture services in Louisiana.
20 (2)Review the laws and best practices in other states relative to health insurance
21benefits for acupuncture services.
22 (3)Survey the availability and extent of health insurance coverage for
23acupuncture services in other states.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in carrying out the purposes of this Resolution,
25the Department of Insurance shall engage and solicit input, recommendations, and advice
26from all interested parties and stakeholders.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Insurance shall submit a
28written report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Insurance
29and Senate Committee on Insurance no later than February 1, 2020.
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HR NO. 252
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
2commissioner of insurance.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 252 Original 2019 Regular Session Chad Brown
Requests the Dept. of Insurance to study and report on the status of health insurance
coverage of acupuncture services in Louisiana and other states. Requests a written report
no later than Feb. 1, 2020.
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