2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97
BY SENATOR JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Insurance to form a task force to study, jointly with
the Louisiana Department of Health, the causes of infertility in women and the
desirability and feasability of mandating insurance coverage for fertility treatments
for women.
WHEREAS, infertility affects people in a wide variety of ways and can have
significant detrimental effects on an individual's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, depending on the underlying cause, infertility can be treated by different
health care providers using a range of medical options; and
WHEREAS, cost prohibitive infertility treatments, coupled with the lack of universal
insurance coverage mandates, may contribute to health care inequity, particularly along
racial and socioeconomic lines; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law currently prohibits a health insurance plan from
excluding coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of a correctable medical condition
otherwise covered under the plan solely because the condition results in infertility, but does
not require coverage for infertility treatments.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Department of Insurance to form a task force to study,
jointly with the Louisiana Department of Health, the causes of infertility in women and the
desirability and feasability of mandating insurance coverage for fertility treatments for
women.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be comprised of
representatives from any relevant and interested parties including but not limited to the
following members:
(1) The commissioner of insurance or his designee.
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(2) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.
(3) Representatives from the health insurance industry, appointed by the
commissioner of insurance.
(4) Two physicians specializing in infertility, appointed by the secretary of the
Louisiana Department of Health.
(5) Two physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, appointed by the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall specifically consider
hypothyroidism as it relates to infertility in women and insurance coverage for conditions
related to hypothyroidism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall survey laws in other states
relative to the coverage of fertility treatments for women in order to identify best practices.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may engage and solicit input,
recommendations, and advice from all interested parties and stakeholders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all departments, boards, agencies, officers, and
institutions of the state shall cooperate with the task force in providing information to assist
the task force in carrying out its mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is assigned to the Louisiana
Department of Insurance, with staff support to be provided from existing personnel within
the department.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner of insurance shall issue the
first invitation for the initial meeting of the task force no later than September 1, 2021, and
at the first meeting the task force shall select a chairperson.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the membership of the task force
constitutes a quorum and that if all task force members have not been appointed by
September 1, 2021, a majority of the appointed membership shall constitute a quorum until
additional appointments are made.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than February 1, 2022, the task force
shall prepare and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate
Committee on Insurance and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on
February 1, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
commissioner of insurance and the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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