Louisiana Senate Bill SR170

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/1/15
• Passed: 6/2/15

Caption

Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to review and update Titles 46 and 48 of the Louisiana Administrative Code to coincide with federal law relative to dietitian nutritionists.

Impact

The resolution suggests that aligning state regulations with federal standards could improve nutritional care across Louisiana. Given that Louisiana has significant public health concerns relating to chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition—such as diabetes and obesity—this alignment may facilitate better healthcare outcomes and optimize the state's Medicaid program. The DHH is tasked with assessing and proposing necessary amendments to ensure compliance with federal standards, which may lead to cost efficiencies as well.

Summary

Senate Resolution 170, sponsored by Senator Dorsey-Colomb, urges the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to review and update Titles 46 and 48 of the Louisiana Administrative Code. The goal of this review is to ensure that these titles are consistent with federal regulations concerning dietitian nutritionists, particularly in light of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) final rule published in May 2014. This rule grants registered dietitian nutritionists the authority to independently order patient diets, potentially enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR170 appears supportive, as it emphasizes the potential for improved health outcomes through administrative alignment with federal laws. There may be general agreement among healthcare professionals and legislators that updating these regulations could benefit healthcare systems and patient care alike, although details on debates or dissenting opinions were not highlighted in the discussions.

Contention

While the resolution is primarily focused on regulatory compliance, there could be underlying discussions about the implications of allowing dietitian nutritionists to exercise such independent authority. Concerns may arise around the training required for such professionals to ensure they are fully capable of making dietary decisions without physician oversight. This point could be a potential area for contention, especially as stakeholders assess the balance between expanding professional scope and maintaining patient safety.