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HCR 71

DRUGS/CONTROLLED: Requests the Louisiana Dept. of Health to review the implementation of existing law and guidance regarding pregnancy-related emergency medications in hospital and acute care settings

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion

LDH will review how pregnancy-related emergency medications are stored, dispensed, and accessed across care settings and report findings and recommendations by Feb 1, 2027.

Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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Bill Summary · HCR 71

Summary of Louisiana HCR 71 (2026 Regular Session)

What the bill is

  • Type: House Concurrent Resolution (HCR)
  • Subject: Drug control and healthcare policy
  • Purpose: Urges the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to review how existing laws and guidance regarding pregnancy-related emergency medications are implemented in hospital, acute care, urgent care, and retail settings, and to report findings to the House and Senate health and welfare committees.

Main purpose and intent

  • The resolution aims to improve clarity and consistency in how pregnancy-related emergency medications are stored, dispensed, and accessed in various care settings.
  • It acknowledges recent scheduling actions (Act No. 246 of 2024) that classified certain medications as Schedule IV controlled substances and the associated storage/dispensing requirements.
  • It seeks to ensure healthcare providers can act timely and in good faith to protect patient safety while remaining compliant with state law.

Key provisions and changes

  • Directive to LDH (in consultation with key bodies):
    • Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners
    • Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
    • Louisiana Hospital Association
    • Relevant medical associations
  • Scope of review:
    1. Current statewide implementation practices for pregnancy-related emergency medications (storage, dispensing, access) across:
      • Hospitals
      • Acute care facilities
      • Urgent care centers
      • Retail settings
    2. Identification of barriers to timely access in emergency, acute care, retail, or urgent care contexts.
      1. Assessment of whether implementation creates delays or uncertainty for healthcare providers acting in good faith.
      2. Review of relevant peer-reviewed research, clinical guidance, and public health data.
      3. Stakeholder input from physicians, pharmacists, hospital administrators, and patients or advocates, collected at least at two public meetings.
  • Deliverable:
    • A written report detailing:
    • Whether rules, regulations, guidance documents, or compliance protocols should be revised or clarified
    • Evidence and reasoning supporting any recommended changes
    • Whether changes could be made administratively or would require legislative action
    • If no changes are recommended, the basis for that conclusion
  • Timing:
    • LDH must submit the report to the House and Senate health and welfare committees no later than February 1, 2027.
  • Limitation:
    • The resolution does not amend oral or substantive statutory law; it is intended to improve consistent implementation and patient safety within existing law.

Who is affected

  • Healthcare providers and facilities receiving or administering pregnancy-related emergency medications in:
    • Hospitals and inpatient/acute care settings
    • Urgent care centers
    • Retail/pharmacy settings
  • Regulatory bodies and professional associations involved in guidance and compliance, including:
    • LDH
    • Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners
    • Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
    • Louisiana Hospital Association
    • Other relevant medical associations and stakeholders
  • Patients experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies (e.g., postpartum hemorrhage, incomplete miscarriage) who rely on timely access to medications.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Process: LDH to conduct a comprehensive review in collaboration with specified boards and associations, incorporating stakeholder input collected at two public meetings.
  • Report timing: February 1, 2027 submission to the House and Senate health and welfare committees.
  • Legislative impact: The resolution does not change existing law but may inform administrative clarifications or potential future legislative changes based on LDH findings.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Could lead to clarified or revised guidance to reduce delays in emergency treatment for pregnancy-related conditions.
  • May identify practical barriers (e.g., storage, access, or compliance complexities tied to Schedule IV designations) and propose administrative fixes.
  • Provides a structured mechanism for stakeholder input and evidence-based recommendations.
  • If recommendations require legislative action, the Legislature would decide on follow-up measures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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