HLS 23RS-3800 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 289
BY REPRESENTATIVE PHELPS
MEDICAID: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to review Medicaid prior
authorization criteria for L-glutamine which is used to treat acute complications
caused by sickle cell disease
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to review Medicaid prior
3 authorization criteria for prescribing L-glutamine to treat acute complications of
4 sickle cell disease and to report its findings by February 1, 2024.
5 WHEREAS, sickle cell disease is the most common inherited hemoglobin disorder,
6but despite its high mortality rates and severe economic impact, needs for effective therapies
7for the disease remain unmet; and
8 WHEREAS, sickle cell disease can affect any organ and has particularly harmful
9effects on the kidneys, lungs, and spleen; and
10 WHEREAS, vaso-occlusive crises are common among patients, causing recurrent
11episodes of acute pain and leading to irreversible organ damage, poor quality of life, and
12stroke; and
13 WHEREAS, on average, life expectancy among persons who suffer from sickle cell
14disease is twenty-five to thirty years less than among those who do not have the disease; and
15 WHEREAS, according to a 2018 study, sickle cell disease imposes a nearly three
16billion dollar economic burden on the United States healthcare system annually, of which
17fifty-seven percent is attributed to hospital inpatient costs; and
18 WHEREAS, L-glutamine is indicated to reduce acute complications of sickle cell
19disease in adults and children five years of age and older; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-3800 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 289
1 WHEREAS, one criterion for patients with Louisiana fee-for-service Medicaid to
2obtain a prior authorization for L-glutamine is to have been treated at an emergency room
3or outpatient center with intravenous pain medication twice within a twelve-month period.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health
6to review Medicaid prior authorization criteria for prescribing L-glutamine to reduce acute
7complications of sickle cell disease and provide information including but not limited to all
8of the following:
9 (1) The effectiveness of L-glutamine at reducing pain associated with sickle cell
10 disease.
11 (2) The feasibility of increasing access to L-glutamine by eliminating overly
12 burdensome prior authorization criteria.
13 (3) The numbers of authorizations for L-glutamine sought by healthcare providers
14 for the treatment of Medicaid patients with sickle cell disease that were denied.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than February 1, 2024, the department
16shall prepare and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the House
17Committee on Health and Welfare.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
19secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission.
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)]
HR 289 Original 2023 Regular Session Phelps
Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to review Medicaid prior authorization criteria
for L-glutamine and to report its findings by Feb. 1, 2024.
Page 2 of 2