SLS 22RS-3664 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 162
BY SENATOR BARROW
WORKFORCE COMMISSION. Request La. Workforce Commission to study the current
rate structure for vocational rehabilitation services.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Louisiana Workforce Commission to implement a study to assess
3 the current rate structure for vocational rehabilitation services and compile data,
4 based on research and a comparison analysis from other states, to develop a new
5 reimbursement methodology and fee structure that adequately compensates
6 Employment Services Vendors for the services and costs incurred to train, support,
7 and secure employment for persons with disabilities.
8 WHEREAS, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) assists persons with disabilities
9 in their desire to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment opportunities and achieve
10 independence in their communities by providing vocational rehabilitation services through
11 partnerships with Employment Services Vendors (Vendors) and other community resources;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, Vendors are organizations that provide vocational rehabilitation and
14 employment services to persons with disabilities who are eligible to receive Louisiana
15 rehabilitation services; and
16 WHEREAS, Vendors continue to provide vocational rehabilitation services to
17 persons with disabilities across the state, often at the expense of the Vendors since fees paid
18 by LRS do not fully cover the costs of services provided to LRS consumers; and
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SLS 22RS-3664 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Vendors routinely supplement LRS fees with alternative revenue
2 streams as a result of an outdated fee structure that utilizes an inadequate reimbursement
3 methodology that has not kept pace with inflationary factors, rising staff costs, and direct
4 service costs; and
5 WHEREAS, the current fee structure places an extraordinary financial burden on
6 Vendors, which can no longer be sustained, resulting in the potential to cease service
7 provision to persons with disabilities, which places undue risks on the statewide vocational
8 rehabilitation system and adversely impacts training, supports, and employment
9 opportunities for persons with disabilities; and
10 WHEREAS, the requested study and comparison analysis will provide current data
11 from other states with successful payment models that can be utilized to develop a new
12 reimbursement methodology that allows for a rate structure that adequately reimburses
13 Vendors for the costs associated with the provision of employment-related services; and
14 WHEREAS, Vendors of services for people with disabilities are essential
15 components of the state vocational rehabilitation system, and the services they deliver are
16 vital to employment success; and
17 WHEREAS, equitable reimbursement to Vendors for the services they provide is
18 necessary to ensure adequate employment support for persons with disabilities to enhance
19 financial and personal independence, ensure quality of services, and strengthen the
20 vocational rehabilitation system statewide.
21 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
22 does hereby request the Louisiana Workforce Commission to implement a study to assess
23 the current rate structure for LRS and compile data, based on research and a comparison
24 analysis from other states, to develop a new reimbursement methodology and fee structure
25 that adequately compensates Employment Services Vendors for the services and costs
26 incurred for training, supporting, and securing employment for persons with disabilities.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
28 secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and upon completion of the study, a
29 written report be developed and submitted in response to this Resolution.
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SLS 22RS-3664 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Yoursheka Butler.
DIGEST
SR 162 Original 2022 Regular Session Barrow
Requests the La. Workforce Commission to implement a study to assess the current rate
structure for vocational rehabilitation services.
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