ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 113
BY REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To create a task force to study the implementation and impact of the Family Connects model
of postpartum newborn nurse home visiting in Louisiana and other states, to develop
policy and funding recommendations to implement the Family Connects model in
this state, to provide for the composition and duties of the task force, and to report
findings to the Louisiana Legislature.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes that evidence-based newborn nurse
home visiting programs for babies have demonstrated success in improving outcomes for
children and families; and
WHEREAS, a 2023 report by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children found that
current state-sponsored home visiting programs reached only approximately six percent of
all births in the state in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks among the highest states for maternal and infant
mortality and lacks access to the services that address the needs of postpartum mothers and
their infants; and
WHEREAS, very young children represent the highest percentage of those children
taken into the child welfare system; and
WHEREAS, parents of children across the economic spectrum can benefit from
targeted services in their baby's earliest days; and
WHEREAS, the Family Connects model of postpartum newborn nurse home visiting
is being provided in local communities and demonstrating success in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, other states have recognized the benefits of the Family Connects model
of postpartum newborn nurse home visiting and designed public and private insurance
benefits as a sustainable source of funding for postpartum newborn nurse home visiting
programs; and
Page 1 of 4 HCR NO. 113 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, postpartum nurse newborn home visiting services can help families
identify potential health issues that may lead to developmental delays allowing for less
costly interventions; and
WHEREAS, the state could dramatically change the trajectory for many children by
increasing access to postpartum nurse newborn home visiting services to families when
children are the most vulnerable and their brains are rapidly developing; and
WHEREAS, the Family Connects model of postpartum newborn nurse home visiting
has been found to improve health outcomes and reduce costs associated with emergency and
inpatient hospital utilization.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create the Postpartum Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) The director of the Louisiana Medicaid program or his designee.
(2) The director of the bureau of family health within the Louisiana Department of
Health or his designee.
(3) The medical director of the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review
within the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.
(4) The deputy commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance, office of
health, life, and annuity or his designee.
(5) The executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children or his
designee.
(6) The executive director to the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
or his designee.
(7) The executive director of the Louisiana Managed Medicaid Association or his
designee.
(8) The executive director of the Louisiana Hospital Association or his designee.
(9) The executive director of the Louisiana State Nurses Association or his designee.
(10) The director of the Family Connects New Orleans or his designee.
(11) The chief nursing officer of Woman's Hospital of Baton Rouge or his designee.
Page 2 of 4 HCR NO. 113 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the duties of the task force shall include but not
be limited to all of the following:
(1) Reviewing the current landscape of Family Connects postpartum newborn nurse
home visiting programs being developed or delivered in this state.
(2) Reviewing the current landscape of Medicaid coverage for Family Connects
postpartum newborn nurse home visiting programs in other states.
(3) Reviewing the current landscape of private insurance coverage for Family
Connects postpartum newborn nurse home visiting programs in other states.
(4) Evaluating the impact of existing Family Connects postpartum home visiting
programs on health outcomes for families served including mothers and infants.
(5) Evaluating the estimated per family cost of Family Connects postpartum
newborn nurse home visiting services in this state.
(6) Defining the scope of services provided by Family Connects postpartum
newborn nurse home visiting programs encompassing both billable and non-billable
activities.
(7) Identifying the most appropriate Medicaid State Plan authority to establish a
covered benefit for evidence-based postpartum newborn nurse home visiting services.
(8) Recommending suitable reimbursement rates and developing a reimbursement
structure for postpartum newborn nurse home visiting.
(9) Identifying or creating provider billing codes and recommending provider
documentation requirements for Medicaid and private insurance plans.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be empowered to request and
collect relevant data and information necessary to fulfill its purposes from state agencies,
Medicaid managed care organizations, and community-based organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may, to the extent feasible, request
such information and data at no cost.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall incorporate the findings from
the study of other states' insurance coverage of evidence-based postpartum newborn nurse
home visiting programs in its comprehensive report of findings and policy recommendations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
provide staff support to the task force to assist with identifying appointees, scheduling task
Page 3 of 4 HCR NO. 113 ENROLLED
force meetings, recording meeting minutes, conducting policy research, and developing the
draft and final report.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall elect a chair
at the first meeting of the task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the first meeting of the task force meeting shall
be held by August 31, 2024, and shall meet as frequently as it deems necessary for the timely
performance of its duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a draft report with preliminary recommendations
shall be generated and reviewed at a meeting of the task force by January 31, 2025, and a
final report with recommendations shall be generated and approved by the task force by
February 28, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force meetings may be conducted in
person, by telephone, or virtually using a secure web-based platform as authorized by law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall transmit a final report of the
task force's findings and policy recommendations to the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
director of the Louisiana Medicaid program, the director of the bureau of family health
within the Louisiana Department of Health, the medical director of the Louisiana Pregnancy-
Associated Mortality Review within the Louisiana Department of Health, the deputy
commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance, office of health, life, and annuity,
the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, the executive director
to the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, the executive director of the
Louisiana Managed Medicaid Association, the executive director of the Louisiana Hospital
Association, the executive director of the Louisiana State Nurses Association, the director
of the Family Connects New Orleans, the chief nursing officer of Woman's Hospital of
Baton Rouge.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 4 of 4