SLS 24RS-354 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 224
BY SENATOR OWEN
PHARMACEUTICALS. Provides relative to opioid alternatives. (8/1/24)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 46:153.3.2, relative to opioid alternatives; to provide relative to coverage for
3 nonopioid and opioid prescription drugs by Medicaid managed care organizations;
4 to provide for duties of the Louisiana Department of Health; to require the
5 department to perform certain functions relative to opioid alternatives; and to provide
6 for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 46:153.3.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง153.3.2. Medicaid prescription medication for chronic or acute pain; opioid
10 alternatives
11 A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a Medicaid
12 managed care organization shall not deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription
13 drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug when a licensed physician has
14 prescribed a nonopioid medication for the treatment of chronic or acute pain.
15 B. The department shall not establish more restrictive or more extensive
16 utilization controls, including but not limited to more restrictive or more
17 extensive prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for clinically
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 224
SLS 24RS-354 ENGROSSED
1 appropriate nonopioid drugs than the least restrictive or extensive utilization
2 controls applicable to any clinically appropriate opioid or narcotic drug.
3 C. The department shall:
4 (1) Provide education, awareness, and technical assistance on the
5 advantages of nonopioid alternative drugs.
6 (2) Collaborate with political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, and
7 other state agencies to seek funding opportunities for educational and health
8 care services related to nonopioid alternatives.
9 (3) Assist, upon request, political subdivisions that receive opioid grant
10 awards as a result of any money obtained through a settlement or judgment by
11 the attorney general on behalf of this state related to opioid litigation involving
12 pharmaceutical supply chain participants.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Amanda Trapp.
DIGEST
SB 224 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Owen
Proposed law provides for prohibitions and requirements for Medicaid managed care
organizations regarding coverage for nonopioid and opioid prescription drugs.
Proposed law provides for duties of the Louisiana Department of Health regarding nonopioid
education and awareness, collaboration regarding funding opportunities, and assistance to
political subdivision that receive opioid grant awards through opioid settlements.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 46:153.3.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Removes certain requirements requiring the coverage of nonopioid drugs.
2. Removes requirements for the department to support programs that include
strategies, programming, and services to promote opioid alternatives.
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.