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)]
HB 598 Original 2021 Regular Session Green
Abstract: Requires the La. Dept. of Health to request a waiver to offer a program to provide
reimbursement for certain inpatient mental health services.
Proposed law declares that its purpose is to secure additional funding for much-needed
enhancements to the mental health treatment system and provide effective mental health care to
individuals with serious mental illness.
Proposed law defines terms to be used throughout proposed law.
Proposed law requires the secretary of the La. Dept. of Health to submit a Section 1115
demonstration waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to authorize a
program to provide Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient treatment of serious mental illness in
hospitals and psychiatric facilities.
Proposed law requires the secretary of the La. Dept. of Health to file the requisite application for
instituting the program with the federal Medicaid agency on or before July 1, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 46:460.101-460.103)