• Final Disposition of All Bills for the 2008 Regular Legislative Session
• Senate Bills http://www.legis.state.la.us/archive/08rs/billssen.htm
• House Bills http://www.legis.state.la.us/archive/08rs/billshse.htm
• The Office of the State Register will publish the following Emergency Rules in the September 20, 2008, issue of the Louisiana Register. To view Emergency Rules, go to http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/emr/emr.htm
  • DHH--Professional Services Program Children's Immunizations, effective December 5, 2008
  • Department of Health and Hospital--State Children's Health Insurance Program Coverage of Prenatal Care Services, effective December 19, 2008
• The Office of the State Register published new LA Administrative Code on June 2008. To view and/or print the Internet version, go to: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/books.htm 
• • Title 46:XXV, Professional and Occupational Standards: Certified Social Workers
    Last amended February 2008, compiled June 2008
  • Title 46:XLVII, Professional and Occupational Standards: Nurses--Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses, Last amended May 2008, compiled June 2008
• Who do you know?! Please fill out the Key Contacts Survey, and help the LSMS with advocacy efforts.

Resources & Links

• Louisiana Legislature's Web site 

• Louisiana's Congressional Delegation

• AMA in Washington

• AMA Grassroots Action Center

• AMPAC

The LSMS Council on Legislation and the Department of Governmental Affairs (DGA) represents the interests of patients, physicians and organized medicine in the Louisiana Legislature, through respected and effective interaction with state lawmakers and other government officials in their executive and regulatory agency responsibilities. In addition, the DGA coordinates federal congressional activities and serves as a liaison on behalf of physicians with state and federal agencies through the AMA Washington office.

Over the years, the DGA staff has been successful in passing and maintaining important medical tort reform. Achievements of particular significance include the formation and continued improvement of the Patient's Compensation Fund and the passage of the Medical Malpractice Act, Act 817 of 1975, which provides for the limitation of liability and the medical review panel process. Staff advocacy efforts have also been extremely successful in increasing reimbursement rates and coverage for Medicaid services and other state and federally funded programs.