ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 206
BY REPRESENTATIVE PHELPS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Workforce Commission to study and make
recommendations about updating the current fee structure and reimbursement
methodology for the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services' Vocational Rehabilitation
Program and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana not later than thirty days
prior to the convening of the 2023 Regular Session.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) assists people with
disabilities in their desire to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment opportunities and
achieve independence in their communities by providing vocational rehabilitation services
through partnerships with vendors with employer services and other community resources;
and
WHEREAS, the LRS's Vocational Rehabilitation Program works with vendors in
order to place and retain people with disabilities in the workforce; and
WHEREAS, vendors continue to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people
with disabilities across the state, often at the expense of the vendor since the LRS is not
always able to cover one hundred percent of the services' costs; and
WHEREAS, vendors routinely supplement LRS fees with alternative revenue
streams as a result of an outdated fee structure that utilizes an inadequate reimbursement
methodology that has not kept pace with inflationary factors, rising staff costs, and direct
services costs; and
WHEREAS, the current fee structure places an extraordinary financial burden on
vendors, which can no longer be sustained, resulting in the potential to cease service
provision to people with disabilities, which places undue risks on the statewide vocational
rehabilitation system and adversely impacts training, support, and employment opportunities
for people with disabilities; and
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WHEREAS, equitable reimbursement to vendors for the services they provide is
necessary to ensure adequate employment support for people with disabilities to enhance
financial and personal independence, ensure quality of services, and strengthen the
vocational rehabilitation system statewide; and
WHEREAS, vendors of services for people with disabilities are essential components
of the state vocational rehabilitation system, and the services they deliver are vital to
employment success.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Workforce Commission
to study and make recommendations about updating the current fee structure and
reimbursement methodology for the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services' Vocational
Rehabilitation Program and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to
the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana not later than thirty days prior
to the convening of the 2023 Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the written report shall include but not be limited
to the following:
(1) The current fee structure and reimbursement methodology of this state.
(2) A list of vendors with employer services that have partnered with the Louisiana
Rehabilitation Services and the fees these vendors pay for services and costs incurred to
train, support, and secure employment.
(3) A comparison analysis of other state's payment models.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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