SLS 202ES-803 ORIGINAL
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 49
BY SENATOR BARROW
CHILDREN. Requests a study of the decline in health insurance coverage among children
in the state.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of
3 Insurance, and the Governor's Office to study the decline in the number of children
4 with health insurance in the state of Louisiana and report their findings back to the
5 Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.
6 WHEREAS, since 2018 the number of Louisiana children who lack health insurance
7 coverage has risen to over 50,000; and
8 WHEREAS, Louisiana previously lead the nation in health insurance coverage for
9 children; and
10 WHEREAS, the data suggests an alarming trend that must be addressed by
11 data-driven policy to address the substantial decline; and
12 WHEREAS, access to health insurance for children is essential whether they are
13 eligible for Medicaid, LaCHIP, military coverage, or private-pay insurance; and
14 WHEREAS, the state needs to determine why children are losing health insurance
15 coverage in order to address the reduction in coverage with meaningful policy
16 recommendations; and
17 WHEREAS, data indicates that improving health insurance coverage for children
18 will increase their overall health, making them more prepared to thrive in school and grow
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 49
SLS 202ES-803 ORIGINAL
1 into self-sufficient adults.
2 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Louisiana Legislature does
3 hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of
4 Insurance, and the Governor's Office to study the decline in the number of children with
5 health insurance.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that agencies creating this study shall also consult
7 with but not limited to the Louisiana Budget Project, the Louisiana Partnership for Children
8 and Families, and the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall report
10 findings from the study called for in this Resolution to the Senate Committee on Health and
11 Welfare prior to the convening of the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall submit
13 one print copy and one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this Resolution
14 to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
16 secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the Commissioner of Insurance, and the
17 Governor's Office.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 49 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Barrow
Requests the La. Department of Health, La. Department of Insurance, and the Governor's
Office to study the decline in the number of children with health insurance in Louisiana.
Requests that the LDH report findings from the study to the Senate Committee on Health
and Welfare prior to the 2021 R.S.
Page 2 of 2