Senate Halts Key Legislation, Sparking Frustration in House
The Louisiana Senate’s decision not to vote on House Bill 358, proposed by Rep. Dustin Miller (D-Opelousas), has ended the legislation aimed at banning vertical integration between pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies. This resolution came with the introduction of Senate Resolution 209 by Sen. Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge), which urged further study by the Louisiana Department of Health, effectively signaling HB358’s demise.
Senate President Cameron Henry noted the Senate’s thorough review process often results in stalling or rejection of House bills, reflecting the larger and more diverse constituents senators represent. "It’s not unusual," stated Jay Dardenne, a former state senator, regarding this trend.
The Senate’s inaction was seen as part of a broader pattern, as several House bills—including a key state budget measure—also failed to advance. House Rep. Emily Chenevert (R-Baton Rouge) expressed disappointment, emphasizing that legislators invest significant time into crafting bills that ultimately do not reach fruition.
Rep. Phillip Tarver (R-Lake Charles) lamented the Senate’s decision to halt House Bill 283, which aimed to cap state spending, while a proposal to fund Governor Jeff Landry’s GATOR program faced cuts in the Senate.
With time running out in the session, lawmakers faced intense lobbying from various stakeholders. Despite support for banning PBMs, concerns about insufficient public input contributed to the Senate’s refusal to act. Henry stressed the need for thorough vetting, suggesting future consensus-building efforts for a more informed approach are necessary.
Governor Landry vowed to call a special session to revisit the vertical integration ban next year, as the legislative battle over pharmacy regulations continues.
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