Louisiana 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 971 — MEDICAID: Provides relative to Medicaid reimbursement for rural health clinics (EN +$2,655,159 GF EX See Note)

Last action — Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 859.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 16, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Jeff Landry (Republican) on June 08, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 92% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    1 primary, 2 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural health clinics.

This bill modifies the Medicaid reimbursement system specifically for rural health clinics, allowing for increased funding. It aims to enhance healthcare access in rural areas by ensuring clinics receive adequate financial support.

What this means for you
  • Families: Increased reimbursement for rural clinics may lead to better healthcare access for families living in rural areas.
  • Consumers: Consumers may benefit from improved services and access to care at rural health clinics.
  • Healthcare: This means rural health clinics will receive more funding, potentially improving healthcare services in rural communities.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

52 added · 59 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Bill HB 971, a specific reference to "ACT No. 859" has been removed. This change might signify that the bill is no longer linked to that prior act or that the contents of the act have been fully addressed elsewhere in the legislation. This simplification helps clarify the bill's intentions and ensures that it stands on its own without reliance on previous legislation. Understanding these edits is crucial because they can influence how the bill is interpreted and implemented in the future.

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Previous
Latest
HLS 26RS-1425 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
ENROLLED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
971 BY REPRESENTATIVE STAGNI MEDICAID:
971 BY REPRESENTATIVES STAGNI, BERAULT, AND CHASSION AN ACT To enact R.S.
Provides relative to Medicaid reimbursement for rural health clinics AN ACT To enact R.S.
40:2116(B)(8) and 2197.1, relative to rural health clinics;
40:2197.1, relative to rural health clinics;
to provide for facility need review;
40:2197.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
40:2116(B)(8) and 2197.1 are herebyenacted to read as follows:
§2197.1.
§2116.
Facility need review * * * B.Thefollowinghealthcareprovidersshallbesubjecttofacilityneedreview to determine the need for a new or additional facility, provider, program, service, or bed:
* * * (8) Types one and two rural health clinics.
* * * §2197.1.
The LouisianaDepartmentofHealthshallensurethatindependentruralhealthclinicsare reimbursed by Medicaid at the same rate as provider-based rural health clinics.
In fiscal years2026-2027 and 2027-2028, the Louisiana Departmentof Healthshall increase the encounter rate that is in effect in the previous fiscal year for independent rural health clinics by forty-one dollars and fifty cents.
B.
The annual Medicare Economic Index inflationary adjustment shall be applied to this rate.
Page 1 of 2 CODING:
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HB NO.
971 ENROLLED B.
C.
The provisions of this Section are subject to the approval of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.
D.
The Louisiana Department of Health shall submit a monthlyreport to the legislaturethatprovidesthenumberofencounterspermonthforeachindividualtype oneclinicandthetotal amountofmonthlyexpendituresforeachindividualtypeone clinic.
Page 1 of 2 CODING:
Section 3.(A) The provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall become effective when an Act of the Louisiana Legislature containing a specific appropriation of monies for the implementation of the provisions of this Act becomes effective.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1425 REENGROSSED HB NO.
971 Section 3.(A) The provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall become effective when an Act of the Louisiana Legislature containing a specific appropriation of monies for the implementation of the provisions of this Act becomes effective.
DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:
It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.
The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.
[R.S.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 971 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Stagni Abstract:
Requires the La.
Dept.
of Health (LDH) to take all necessary actions to ensure that independent rural health clinics are reimbursed byMedicaid at the same rate as provider-based rural health clinics.
Present law defines a rural health clinic as a facility that provides primary healthcare servicesto outpatients locatedin an area that is not an urbanized areaas defined bythe U.S.
Census Bureau.
Proposed law requires the secretary of LDH to take all necessary actions to equalize Medicaidreimbursementratesbetweenindependentruralhealthclinics and provider-based rural health clinics.
Proposed law requires LDH to take any necessary action to implement the provisions of proposed law not later than 90 days after the effective date of proposed law including filing a Medicaid state plan amendment or promulgating and adopting rules.
Effective upon appropriation of funds bythe legislature.
(Adds R.S.
40:2197.1) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the engrossed bill:
1.
Show all 44 changed rows (4 more)
Previous
Latest
Change deadline by which LDH must take action to implement proposed law from Oct.
1, 2026, to 90 days after proposed law becomes effective.
2.
Make effectiveness of proposed law subject to appropriation of monies by the legislature for the implementation of proposed law.
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Amendments

3 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 859.

  2. Effective date: 06/08/2026.

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate.

  4. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

  5. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.

  8. Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

  9. Received from the Senate with amendments.

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

  11. Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.

  12. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

  13. Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

  14. Reported favorably.

  15. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

  16. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 6. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

  17. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

  18. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/05/2026.

  19. Read by title, amended, ordered reengrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

  20. Reported with amendments (14-0).

  21. Read by title, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

  22. Reported favorably (9-0).

  23. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

  24. Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Joe Stagni

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (144)

144 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 144 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1702)

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 26004
Republican 63005
Unaffiliated 6001
Total 950010
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (105)
Member Party Vote
Amedee — Yea
Galle — Yea
Stagni — Yea
Mr. Speaker — Not Voting
Johnson, T. — Yea
Landry, T. — Yea
St. Blanc — Yea
Adrian Fisher Democrat Yea
Aimee Adatto Freeman Democrat Yea
Alonzo L. Knox Democrat Yea
Barbara Carpenter Democrat Not Voting
C. Denise Marcelle Democrat Yea
Candace N. Newell Democrat Yea
Chasity Martinez Democrat Yea
Dana Henry Democrat Yea
Delisha Boyd Democrat Yea
Ed Murray Democrat Yea
Edmond Jordan Democrat Yea
Gerald Boudreaux Democrat Yea
III, Ed Larvadain Democrat Yea
Joy Walters Democrat Yea
Jr., Kyle M. Green Democrat Yea
Ken Brass Democrat Yea
Mandie Landry Democrat Yea
Marcus Anthony Bryant Democrat Yea
Pat Moore Democrat Yea
Rashid Armand Young Democrat Not Voting
Robby Carter Democrat Yea
Rodney Lyons Democrat Yea
Roy Daryl Adams Democrat Yea
Shaun Raphael Mena Democrat Yea
Sr., Wilford Carter Democrat Not Voting
Steven Jackson Democrat Yea
Sylvia Elaine Taylor Democrat Not Voting
Tammy T. Phelps Democrat Yea
Tehmi Jahi Chassion Democrat Yea
Vanessa Caston LaFleur Democrat Yea
Annie Spell Republican Yea
Barbara Reich Freiberg Republican Yea
Beth Anne Billings Republican Yea
Brett F. Geymann Republican Not Voting
Brian Leonard Glorioso Republican Yea
Bryan Fontenot Republican Yea
Chad Michael Boyer Republican Yea
Chance Keith Henry Republican Yea
Christopher Turner Republican Yea
Danny McCormick Republican Yea
Daryl Andrew Deshotel Republican Yea
Debbie Villio Republican Yea
Dixon Wallace McMakin Republican Yea
Dodie Horton Republican Yea
Emily Chenevert Republican Yea
Foy Bryan Gadberry Republican Yea
Francis C. Thompson Republican Yea
Gregory A. Miller Republican Not Voting
III, Roger William Wilder Republican Yea
III, Vincent E. Cox Republican Yea
IV, Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu Republican Yea
Jack McFarland Republican Yea
Jacob Braud Republican Yea
Jacob Jules Landry Republican Yea
Jason Brian DeWitt Republican Yea
Jeffrey "Jeff" Fons Wiley Republican Yea
Jeremy LaCombe Republican Yea
Jerome Zeringue Republican Yea
Jessica Domangue Republican Yea
John E. Wyble Republican Yea
Joseph A. Orgeron Republican Yea
Josh Carlson Republican Yea
Jr., Dennis Bamburg Republican Yea
Jr., John R. Illg Republican Yea
Jr., Michael Robert Bayham Republican Not Voting
Kathy Edmonston Republican Yea
Kellee Hennessy Dickerson Republican Yea
Kim Carver Republican Yea
Kimberly Landry Coates Republican Yea
Larry A. Bagley Republican Not Voting
Lauren Ventrella Republican Yea
Laurie Schlegel Republican Yea
Les Farnum Republican Yea
Mark Wright Republican Yea
Michael "Gabe" Firment Republican Yea
Michael Charles Echols Republican Yea
Michael Melerine Republican Yea
Mike Johnson Republican Yea
Neil Riser Republican Yea
Nicholas Muscarello Republican Yea
Paul Sawyer Republican Yea
Phillip Eric Tarver Republican Not Voting
Polly Thomas Republican Yea
R. Dewith Carrier Republican Yea
Raymond J. Crews Republican Yea
Reese "Skip" Broussard Republican Yea
Rhonda Gaye Butler Republican Yea
Robert "Bob" Owen Republican Yea
Rodney Schamerhorn Republican Yea
Ryan Bourriaque Republican Yea
Shane Mack Republican Yea
Sr., Peter F. Egan Republican Yea
Stephanie H. Berault Republican Yea
Stephanie Hilferty Republican Yea
Timothy P. Kerner Republican Yea
Tony Bacala Republican Yea
Troy Jude Hebert Republican Yea
Wayne McMahen Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE (#1331)

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
Republican 27000
Democrat 9002
Total 37002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (39)
Member Party Vote
Mr. President — Yea
Edward J. Price Democrat Not Voting
Gary Carter Democrat Yea
Gerald Boudreaux Democrat Yea
Jay Luneau Democrat Yea
Jimmy Harris Democrat Yea
Katrina R. Jackson-Andrews Democrat Yea
Larry Selders Democrat Not Voting
Regina Barrow Democrat Yea
Royce Duplessis Democrat Yea
Sam Jenkins Democrat Yea
Sidney Barthelemy II Democrat Yea
Adam Bass Republican Yea
Alan Seabaugh Republican Yea
Beth Mizell Republican Yea
Blake Miguez Republican Yea
Bob Hensgens Republican Yea
Brach Jerad Myers Republican Yea
Caleb Kleinpeter Republican Yea
Eddie J. Lambert Republican Yea
Franklin J. Foil Republican Yea
Glen Womack Republican Yea
Gregory A. Miller Republican Yea
Heather Cloud Republican Yea
Jeremy Stine Republican Yea
John C. "Jay" Morris Republican Yea
Jr., William "Bill" Wheat Republican Yea
Kirk Talbot Republican Yea
Mark Abraham Republican Yea
Michael "Big Mike" Fesi Republican Yea
Mike Reese Republican Yea
Patrick Connick Republican Yea
Patrick McMath Republican Yea
Rick Edmonds Republican Yea
Robert "Bob" Owen Republican Yea
Robert Allain Republican Yea
Stewart Jr. Cathey Republican Yea
Thomas A. Pressly Republican Yea
Valarie Hodges Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE (#861)

Passed 91 Yea · 6 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 5101
Republican 59504
Democrat 27003
Total 91608
% of votes cast 87%6%0%8%
How each member voted (105)
Member Party Vote
Mr. Speaker — Yea
Galle — Yea
Amedee — Nay
Stagni — Not Voting
Johnson, T. — Yea
Landry, T. — Yea
St. Blanc — Yea
Adrian Fisher Democrat Not Voting
Aimee Adatto Freeman Democrat Yea
Alonzo L. Knox Democrat Yea
Barbara Carpenter Democrat Yea
C. Denise Marcelle Democrat Yea
Candace N. Newell Democrat Yea
Chasity Martinez Democrat Yea
Dana Henry Democrat Yea
Delisha Boyd Democrat Yea
Ed Murray Democrat Yea
Edmond Jordan Democrat Yea
Gerald Boudreaux Democrat Yea
III, Ed Larvadain Democrat Yea
Joy Walters Democrat Yea
Jr., Kyle M. Green Democrat Yea
Ken Brass Democrat Yea
Mandie Landry Democrat Yea
Marcus Anthony Bryant Democrat Yea
Pat Moore Democrat Yea
Rashid Armand Young Democrat Yea
Robby Carter Democrat Yea
Rodney Lyons Democrat Yea
Roy Daryl Adams Democrat Yea
Shaun Raphael Mena Democrat Yea
Sr., Wilford Carter Democrat Yea
Steven Jackson Democrat Not Voting
Sylvia Elaine Taylor Democrat Yea
Tammy T. Phelps Democrat Not Voting
Tehmi Jahi Chassion Democrat Yea
Vanessa Caston LaFleur Democrat Yea
Annie Spell Republican Yea
Barbara Reich Freiberg Republican Yea
Beth Anne Billings Republican Yea
Brett F. Geymann Republican Not Voting
Brian Leonard Glorioso Republican Yea
Bryan Fontenot Republican Yea
Chad Michael Boyer Republican Yea
Chance Keith Henry Republican Yea
Christopher Turner Republican Yea
Danny McCormick Republican Nay
Daryl Andrew Deshotel Republican Yea
Debbie Villio Republican Yea
Dixon Wallace McMakin Republican Yea
Dodie Horton Republican Nay
Emily Chenevert Republican Yea
Foy Bryan Gadberry Republican Yea
Francis C. Thompson Republican Yea
Gregory A. Miller Republican Yea
III, Roger William Wilder Republican Yea
III, Vincent E. Cox Republican Yea
IV, Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu Republican Yea
Jack McFarland Republican Yea
Jacob Braud Republican Yea
Jacob Jules Landry Republican Yea
Jason Brian DeWitt Republican Yea
Jeffrey "Jeff" Fons Wiley Republican Yea
Jeremy LaCombe Republican Yea
Jerome Zeringue Republican Yea
Jessica Domangue Republican Yea
John E. Wyble Republican Yea
Joseph A. Orgeron Republican Yea
Josh Carlson Republican Not Voting
Jr., Dennis Bamburg Republican Yea
Jr., John R. Illg Republican Yea
Jr., Michael Robert Bayham Republican Yea
Kathy Edmonston Republican Nay
Kellee Hennessy Dickerson Republican Yea
Kim Carver Republican Yea
Kimberly Landry Coates Republican Yea
Larry A. Bagley Republican Yea
Lauren Ventrella Republican Yea
Laurie Schlegel Republican Not Voting
Les Farnum Republican Yea
Mark Wright Republican Yea
Michael "Gabe" Firment Republican Not Voting
Michael Charles Echols Republican Yea
Michael Melerine Republican Yea
Mike Johnson Republican Yea
Neil Riser Republican Yea
Nicholas Muscarello Republican Yea
Paul Sawyer Republican Yea
Phillip Eric Tarver Republican Yea
Polly Thomas Republican Yea
R. Dewith Carrier Republican Yea
Raymond J. Crews Republican Nay
Reese "Skip" Broussard Republican Yea
Rhonda Gaye Butler Republican Yea
Robert "Bob" Owen Republican Yea
Rodney Schamerhorn Republican Nay
Ryan Bourriaque Republican Yea
Shane Mack Republican Yea
Sr., Peter F. Egan Republican Yea
Stephanie H. Berault Republican Yea
Stephanie Hilferty Republican Yea
Timothy P. Kerner Republican Yea
Tony Bacala Republican Yea
Troy Jude Hebert Republican Yea
Wayne McMahen Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 971?
HB 971 is sponsored by Tehmi Jahi Chassion (Democrat), Stephanie H. Berault (Republican), and Joe Stagni.
What is the current status of HB 971?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 16, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 971?
Track HB 971 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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