HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study increased patient access to medically necessary breast pumps by increasing Medicaid reimbursement and coverage rates for breast pumps.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gerald Boudreaux

Louisiana will study how to increase Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for medically necessary breast pumps to improve access for beneficiaries.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

Summary of SR 175 (2026) — Louisiana

Purpose and intent

SR 175 asks the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to study and identify ways to increase patient access to medically necessary breast pumps.

The central mechanism proposed is to enhance Louisiana Medicaid reimbursement and coverage rates for breast pumps, with the aim of improving affordability and availability for Medicaid-enrolled patients.

Key provisions

Directive to the Louisiana Department of Health: LDH is tasked with conducting a study focused on access to breast pumps that are medically necessary for patients.

Study objectives likely include:

Assessing current Medicaid coverage rules for breast pumps in Louisiana.
Evaluating barriers to access for Medicaid beneficiaries (e.g., eligibility, prior authorization, copayments, provider availability).
Identifying potential changes to reimbursement rates to incentivize supplier participation and reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Recommending policy or administrative actions LDH can pursue to expand coverage and access.

Proposed outcome: Development of findings and recommendations to increase Medicaid reimbursement and coverage for breast pumps, thereby expanding patient access.

Who/what would be affected

Medicaid beneficiaries in Louisiana who require medically necessary breast pumps.

Breast pump suppliers and providers who serve Medicaid enrollees.

Healthcare providers who prescribe or refer patients for breast pumps.

LDH as the agency responsible for conducting the study and implementing any recommended changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Read by title and adopted (as of 2026-05-29), indicating the bill advanced through readings in the legislative process.

Jurisdiction: Louisiana.

Sponsor: Co-sponsor is Senator Gerald Boudreaux.

As a Senate Resolution (SR), the bill is a non-binding measure directing an agency to study a policy issue rather than enacting new law immediately. The actual actions would depend on the LDH study results and subsequent legislative or administrative decisions.

Potential impact (high-level)

If LDH identifies barriers and viable reimbursement enhancements, the state could pursue formal changes to Medicaid coverage for breast pumps, potentially leading to:

Increased access for postpartum and medically indicated patients.
Reduced financial barriers related to breast pump costs.
Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction for families relying on Medicaid.

Note: The bill outlines a study mandate rather than immediate statutory changes. The concrete impact will depend on LDH’s findings and any follow-up legislation or administrative rulemaking that may be pursued based on the study.