The Senate Insurance Committee convened on May 21, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, beginning with the approval of minutes from the previous meeting. The first significant item on the agenda was House Bill 382, introduced by Representative Baham, which aims to mandate insurance coverage for home visiting services for newborns and young children.

Representative Baham highlighted Louisiana's alarming maternal and infant mortality rates, ranking 35th and 47th respectively among the states. He emphasized the importance of providing home visits by nurses to monitor the health of mothers and their newborns, aiming to improve overall health outcomes in the state. Susan East Nelson from the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families supported the bill, explaining that it is part of a broader initiative to establish a voluntary home visiting system. She noted that approximately 60% of births in Louisiana are covered by Medicaid, while the remaining 30% are under private insurance, making this legislation crucial for expanding access to essential health services.

The committee adopted a technical amendment to the bill, which was met with no opposition. Senator DuPlessis expressed gratitude for the bill's introduction and indicated support for its advancement. Following a brief discussion, the committee moved to report House Bill 382 favorably, with no objections raised.

The meeting then paused as the committee awaited the arrival of additional representatives to continue with the next agenda items. Overall, the session underscored a commitment to improving maternal and child health through legislative action, with a focus on enhancing insurance coverage for vital health services.