1. Improve access to prescription drugs for all Louisiana families
Act No. 405 New law requires a community health care clinic to conduct a screening to determine if a patient is enrolled in or eligible for gratuitous medical or dental benefits, including public entitlement programs and requires community health care clinics and pharmacies to assist an eligible patient in enrolling in a gratuitous plan or entitlement program within 60 days of the screening. New law provides that these provisions do not prohibit any patient from receiving services from a community health care clinic or pharmacy.
Act 504 Provides relative to continuity of care under health insurance coverage. New law requires the health care provider to notify the health insurance issuer of any enrollee of insured who has begun a course of treatment by the provider before the effective date of the termination. Provides that when the enrollee or insured has been diagnosed as being in a high-risk pregnancy or is past the 24th week of pregnancy, the enrollee or insured shall be allowed to continue receiving covered health care services, subject to the consent of the treating health care provider, through delivery and postpartum care related to the pregnancy and delivery.
Act No. 495 Provides relative to the Louisiana Health Care Commission. New law additionally provides that the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the commission shall be to review and study the delivery of quality health care in the state.
Act No. 131. Provides relative to the powers and duties of the Board of Pharmacy. New law permits the board to register individuals as pharmacy technician candidates as well as to certify individuals as pharmacy technicians and authorizes each to assist a pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy in accordance with board rules.
Act No. 10 Provides prescriptive authority for physicians assistants. New law provides limited prescriptive authority for physician assistants who have completed a minimum of one year of clinical rotation and at least one year of practice under a supervising physician.
Act No. 11 Authorizes specially trained medical psychologists to prescribe and to distribute certain drugs. New law retains prior law but adds medical psychologist to the list of those who are prescribing medicines.
Act No. 876 Provides relative to prompt payment of health insurance claims submitted by pharmacies or pharmacists. Provides for legislative intent, including the intent to have payment of pharmacy claims based on payment calculations that reflect nationally recognized pricing references such as average wholesale price (AWP) and maximum allowable cost (MAC).
Act No. 292 Urges and requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to establish a study commission to research and study the implementation of a recycling method for unused prescription drugs, and to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature prior to the 2005
Act No. 677 New law provides that nominating organizations shall certify that nominees to serve on the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee either care for or supervise the care for at least 150 Medicaid recipients.
SR137 Requests DHH, Bureau of Health Services Financing, to take all steps necessary to end the illegal practice of pharmacists demanding a co-payment on Medicaid prescription medications for pregnant women and recipients under age twenty-one, in violation of 42 CFR 447.53.
SR173 Requests the Senate Committee on Insurance to study pharmacy benefit managers and creates the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Advisory Committee to assist the committee in its study.
Requires that the advisory committee submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2005 RS.

2. Eliminate all restrictions on Louisiana Medicaid prescription drug access, especially the eight prescription limit
Act No. 705 New law provides that the department shall annually provide a written and public report to the legislature and governor, prior to the legislative regular session, regarding the cost of administering the preferred drug list, the cost of development and maintenance of the PDL, and provides an analysis of the utilization trends for medical services provided in the state and any correlation to the PDL.
Act No. 653 Prior law provided for the functioning of the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee. New law reiterates the public nature of P & T committee meetings and guarantees the public comment before any committee vote.
SCR41 Requests that DHH study the feasibility of passing on to the uninsured the reduced prices the state pays for prescription drugs for Medicaid beneficiaries.

3. Provide contraceptive equity for insured women in Louisiana
All bills failed

4. Establish the Risk Reduction of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) In Child Care Settings program advocated by Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Coalitio
All bills failed

5. Fully fund the www.louisianaseniorrx.org program
Payable out of the State General Fund (Direct) for funding the SeniorRx Drug Assistance Program $ 1,000,000

6. Strengthen Louisiana’s donated drug repository
Walker (HB 1402) Act No. 811 Provides relative to drug returns, exchanges, and redispensing. New law requires that donations to charitable pharmacies meet requirements.

7. Work with the American Cancer Society to increase funding for breast and cervical cancer screening
HCR No. 332 Requests the House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees to meet and function as a joint committee to study the prevalence of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus in women.
SR143 Requests the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children to study the prevalence of cervical cancer and human papilloma virus in women in Louisiana and report its findings to the legislature prior to the 05 R.S.
HB1 Payable out of the State General Fund (Direct) for the Breast and Cervical Cancer ScreeningProgram $ 350,000

8. Increase funding for family planning services
HB1 Objective: For state fiscal years 2001 through 2006, Personal Health Services, through its Family Planning activities, will provide family planning services to women in parish health units and private providers. Performance Indicator: Number of Women In Need of family planning services served 64,904

9. Support scientific and comprehensive Sex Education for age-appropriate audiences
No legislation was offered
Report on funded initiatives to prevent teen pregnancy

10. Fully fund the Office of Women’s Policy and the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission
Act 446 ALARIO 01-114 OFFICE OF WOMEN’S POLICY Payable out of the State General Fund (Direct) for operations $ 50,000
Administrative - Authorized Positions (5) $ 5,347,945
Act No. 644 Creates the Women's Health Commission within the Department of Health and Hospitals. Requires the first meeting to convene not later than 10/1/04.

11. Increase substance abuse facilities for women with children
REPORT ON FUNDED INITIATIVES

12. Gain Health Service Centers for American Indians in Louisiana
NOT REALIZED

13. Extend the Medicaid waiver for women with children from 6 months to two years
SCR No. 151 Establishes a group to study and make recommendations regarding proper policy and procedures to ensure quality care and services based on best practices in Louisiana's assisted living communities.

14. Support Long Term Care Coverage and help for caregivers
Act No. 659 Creates the Nursing Home Quality and Efficiency Board to develop recommendations for programs designed to promote quality care and increase efficiency in nursing homes.

15. Work with the Louisiana Medical Association on Community Care Program Reform
REPORT ON FUNDED PROJECTS

16. Passage of the Safe Schools Act
Bills failed.