2009 Legislative Session Comes to an End

July 8, 2009

            The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2009 regular session and adjourned sine die on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 6 p.m., after sending Governor Bobby Jindal a $28 billion state operating budget. The House and Senate agreed to a compromise on next year's budget in the final hour of a contentious nine-week session that was defined by sharp disagreements over how to cope with a state general fund revenue drop in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

            The following is a breakdown of some of the bills the LDA was monitoring/working on during the 2009 Session and the resulting actions.

            HB 881, one of the state’s supplementary appropriations bills, included a $124,726 reinstatement of adult denture funds and $3,141,257 to restore cuts that had been made to the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Testing Services (EPSDT) dental services.

Also, in exciting news, the Louisiana Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (also known as Donated Dental Services) received $115,000 in funding for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.  

Unfortunately, no new funds were appropriated for fluoridation efforts simply because of a lack of state funds for new projects. The LDA will continue to work with the ADA, the Healthy Smiles Coalition and the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to search for funds for community water fluoridation.

            HB 687 was the LDA-supported bill that addressed dentistry in public schools. In the wake of lengthy debate and several amendments, the LDA worked with Speaker Jim Tucker, bill sponsor Rep. Kevin Pearson and several other legislators to draft amendments that would direct the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (LSBD) to address the issues of access and quality of care raised by the bill.  Those amendments deleted ALL the bill’s prohibitions against dentistry on school grounds, and essentially made HB 687 a new bill charging the LSBD with addressing such vital issues as equipment and standards to be maintained; disposal of infectious waste; requiring appropriate consent form from the parent or guardian prior to providing dental services to a minor; parental consultation/involvement regarding dental services provided to a minor; and inspection by the LSBD.

            After lengthy debate in both Health and Welfare committees and passing favorably out of both committees, as well as the House and the Senate, the bill went to Conference Committee for two more adjustments. This bill has been signed by the governor and is Act 429.

            HB 717 would have created the Louisiana Physician Advisory Group to review certain DHH rules. The LDA chose to not support this bill in lieu of HR 87 and SR 100 resolutions reinstating DHH’s Medical Care Advisory Committee. These resolutions ensure a seat on this committee for an LDA member and have been enrolled (passed). HB 717 did not make it out of the House.

            HCR 221 would have directed additional federal funds generated from the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 be used to restore reductions in the Payments to Private Providers Program. This bill was never heard in Appropriations.

            HB 767 requires public high schools to provide beverage selection that shall consist of the healthier choices, such as bottled water; no-calorie or low-calorie beverages that contain up to 10 calories per eight ounces; up to 12 ounce servings of beverages that contain 100% fruit juice with no added sweeteners and up to 120 calories per eight ounces; up to 12 ounce servings of any other beverage that contains no more than 66 calories per eight ounces; at least 50% of non-milk beverages shall be water and no-calorie or low-calorie options that contain up to 10 calories per eight ounces; and low-fat milk, skim milk, and non-dairy milk. This bill has been signed by the governor and is Act 306.

            SB 282 creates a consumer health provider information system requiring each hospital or ambulatory surgical center to provide to each health insurance issuer with which it contracts the National Provider Identifier (NPI), name, business address, and business telephone number of each individual or group of health care providers who provide services at that facility. This bill has been sent to the governor to be signed.

            SB 106 limits civil liability of health care providers and personnel during a declared emergency. This bill has been signed by the governor and is Act 231.

            SB 107 creates the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act outlining that while an emergency declaration is in effect, DHH may limit, restrict, or otherwise regulate the duration of practice by volunteer health practitioners; the geographical areas in which volunteer health practitioners may practice; the types of volunteer health practitioners who may practice; and any other matters necessary to coordinate effectively the provision of health services

during the emergency. This bill has been sent to the governor and is presently waiting to be signed.

            Thanks to all the LDA members who used the LDA Grassroots Action Center powered by VoterVOICE on our Web site to help lobby for or against the bills that impacted dentistry. Grassroots participation is essential to the LDA’s lobbying efforts, and all members are encouraged to use this service in the future. VoterVOICE makes it quick and easy for you to have your voice heard in the Louisiana Legislature!

            For contact information on your legislator or on other bills that were introduced during this session, go to www.legis.state.la.us.