Official Louisiana State Websites use .la.gov 
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS LDH is moving forward with a plan to distribute food benefits on EBT cards. If the USDA, who administers the SNAP program, is prepared and ready to move money into states’ accounts, we will use federal dollars to fund SNAP recipients’ accounts. If they are not ready, LDH will proceed with our state-funded program to provide food assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and households with children through their existing EBT cards.
LDH News
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Eligibility – Family Opportunity Act LAC 50:VIII.2303
Amends the provisions governing eligibility for the Family Opportunity Act Medicaid Program to establish continuous eligibility requirements, and to prevent termination of Medicaid or CHIP eligibility due to non-payment of premiums for children under the age of 19 during a continuous eligibility period.
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Refugee Medical Assistance LAC 50:XXXI
Continues the provisions of the July 1, 2025 Emergency Rule (Louisiana Register, Volume 51, Number 7) which amended the provisions governing refugee medical assistance (RMA) to shorten the period that assistance is granted through the RMA program from one year to four months, and to outline the termination conditions for RMA services.
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August 2025 Legislative Oversight Committee Activity
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Hospital Services – Coverage of Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease LAC 50:V.120
Continues the July 1, 2025 Emergency Rule which adopted cell and gene therapy model that provides additional supplemental and federal rebates for gene therapies for sickle cell disease.
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Nursing Facilities – Reimbursement Methodology LAC 50:VII.Chapter 200
Continues the June 30, 2025 Emergency Rule which amended the provisions governing reimbursement for Nursing Facilities to revise the language and to replace resource utilization group resident classification system with the patient driven payment model.
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Professional Services Program – Reimbursement Methodology (LAC 50:IX.8305, 8505, 15113, 15133, and XIX.4334)
Adopts a new methodology for Medicaid managed care organization reimbursement and fee-for-service reimbursement rates to better align Medicaid rates to Medicare rates.
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Refugee Medical Assistance LAC 50:XXXI.Chapter 1
Amends the provisions governing refugee medical assistance (RMA) to shorten the period that assistance is granted through the refugee medical assistance (RMA) program from one year to four months.
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Hospital Services – Coverage of Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease LAC 50:V.120
Amends the provisions governing inpatient hospital services, to allow reimbursement for gene therapies for sickle cell disease outside the per diem rate and paid based on the actual acquisition cost in order to take advantage of a federal rebate.
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Nursing Facilities – Reimbursement Methodology LAC 50:VII.Chapter 200
Amends the provisions governing reimbursement for Nursing Facilities to revise the language and to replace resource utilization group resident classification system with the patient driven payment model (PDPM). The PDPM shifts the focus from therapy-based payments to a more patient-centered approach that takes into account the individual needs and conditions of residents. This action is being taken to comply with federal requirements.
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LDH confirms first human West Nile virus case of 2025 mosquito season
This case was confirmed in an individual from Livingston Parish who was hospitalized due to complications from the infection.
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As summer heats up, LDH helps residents prevent heat-related illness
Residents, workers, and employers need to know the symptoms of heat illness and treatments to prevent heat stroke or death.
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LDH reminds residents to protect against West Nile virus
Mosquito activity increases during the warmer summer months, which raises the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.