SR 175

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
  A RESOLUTION
To urge and request 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 from eighty dollars to one hundred forty dollars.
       WHEREAS, breastfeeding is widely recognized by medical professionals and public
health organizations for its substantial health benefits to infants and mothers, including
improved infant nutrition, strengthened immune protection, and reduced maternal health
risks; and
       WHEREAS, access to quality breast pumps is essential for many mothers,
particularly working mothers, mothers of premature infants, and mothers experiencing
medical complications that require expressed breast milk; and
       WHEREAS, the Medicaid program serves a significant number of pregnant and
postpartum women in Louisiana, many of whom rely upon Medicaid coverage to obtain
medically necessary breastfeeding equipment; and
       WHEREAS, current Medicaid reimbursement and coverage rates for breast pumps
in Louisiana may not adequately reflect current market costs for durable, effective, and
medically appropriate breast pumps; and
       WHEREAS, insufficient reimbursement rates may limit supplier participation, reduce
patient choice, and create barriers to timely access for Medicaid recipients; and
       WHEREAS, increasing Medicaid coverage for breast pumps from eighty dollars to
one hundred forty dollars may improve patient access, enhance maternal and infant health
outcomes, and support continued breastfeeding efforts across the state; and
       WHEREAS, a comprehensive study by the Louisiana Department of Health would
assist the legislature in evaluating the fiscal impact, healthcare benefits, provider
participation, and patient outcomes associated with increasing breast pump reimbursement
and coverage rates.
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SR NO. 175  ENROLLED
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study the impact of
increasing Medicaid reimbursement and coverage for breast pumps from eighty dollars to
one hundred forty dollars in order to improve patient access to medically necessary
breastfeeding equipment.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall include, at a minimum:
       (1) Current breast pump utilization and access among Medicaid recipients.
       (2) Comparative reimbursement rates in other states.
       (3) Supplier participation and network adequacy.
       (4) Potential maternal and infant health outcomes associated with increased access.
       (5) Fiscal considerations and potential cost savings associated with improved
breastfeeding rates.
       (6) Recommendations for legislative or administrative action.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall submit
a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Health and
Welfare no later than February 1, 2027.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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