2020 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 28
BY SENATOR FESI
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to report on the use and results of
hydroxychloroquine for treating Medicaid recipients relative to COVID-19.
WHEREAS, hydroxychloroquine, also known as hydroxychloroquine sulfate, was
approved for medical use in the United States in 1955; and
WHEREAS, hydroxychloroquine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and
can be used to prevent malaria; and
WHEREAS, hydroxychloroquine has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19
and has been the focus of several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials across
the United States and parts of Canada; and
WHEREAS, according to the Louisiana Department of Health, as of October 19,
2020, there have been 2,594,376 COVID-19 tests administered; 175,982 confirmed COVID-
19 diagnoses; and 5,566 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, more than 1.8 million Louisianians are enrolled in the state Medicaid
program; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid recipients' services covered and outcomes achieved are
reliable and readily available data sets that can be used to determine the use and results of
hydroxychloroquine.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby request the Louisiana Department of Health to report on the use and results of
hydroxychloroquine for treating Medicaid recipients relative to COVID-19.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall report the following
information for the control period of March 2020 through October 2020:
(1) The number of Medicaid recipients who were taking hydroxychloroquine for
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or to prevent malaria during the control period and tested
positive for COVID-19.
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(a) Of those recipients who tested positive for COVID-19, how many were
hospitalized and what was the duration of the hospitalization.
(b) Of those recipients who tested positive for COVID-19, how many deaths occurred
whether hospitalized or not.
(2) The number of Medicaid recipients who were not taking hydroxychloroquine for
rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or to prevent malaria during the control period, tested positive
for COVID-19, and were treated with hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 post-exposure
prophylaxis.
(a) Of those recipients treated with hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19
post-exposure prophylaxis, how many were hospitalized and what was the duration of the
hospitalization.
(b) Of those recipients treated with hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19
post-exposure prophylaxis, how many deaths occurred whether hospitalized or not.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, to comply with the reporting requirement of this
Resolution, the department may consult and receive assistance from a state academic
institution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall submit a data report to the
Senate no later than August 1, 2021.
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
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