[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6208656,"mediaKeyId","3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f","parentId",3743283,"title","Louisiana House debates changes to Medical Examiners board, votes to reject senate amendments after lengthy questioning","audioSeconds",355,"startMs",3485000,"endMs",3840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f&start=3485&end=3840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f/thumbnail_3485000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208656/Louisiana/Louisiana-House-debates-changes-to-Medical-Examiners-board-votes-to-reject-senate-amendments-after-lengthy-questioning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208656-211beea350bc03b998db66ea0f748d26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450895&Signature=L8o35nwyeT-HpkcQQPQdIdxJWkHooafbIUoXqwVHBwQuNq80lyt5LFVUapl6Q2RrMJCO3JkGOyJhnIILi1GF2GKKYZyiq-7H~bL-pAhFtlpeulijMJhTVw~e0BacGX2GLxLTtigEV4sNXTS6ktRZfvuaCU4EqVm~8KNy8tNzq-aEnFbzTy5LGWx62mqjs6xcgYZmIu7znCqig4U7Iix-eWTJXqyzqPqA1Ekwtap284GVie8WLlioVZDmz73i1IbR8me7BMRnW3aHB2LgSXbFJ5ep~OxrAjItxHUN6SQhM0a4lt1tZXTEMOJEeWxTRnHf0sQ~4GcZJFBngGqQ-RBA4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 138, which would revise the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, drew extended debate on the House floor and a vote to reject Senate amendments after lawmakers pressed the bill sponsor on oversight and appointment changes.

Representative DeWitt presented the bill as a change to board membership and operations including adding a physician assistant seat and creating an executive director role. “All of the members of the board would serve at the pleasure of the governor until July 31,” Rep. DeWitt said while explaining amendments added on the Senate side, and he said the changes were intended to improve geographic representation and speed investigations.

Lawmakers from across the chamber pressed DeWitt about the practical effect of the Senate amendments. Representative Willard asked, “So instead of answering to the full board, he would be answering to the director?” Rep. DeWitt replied, “Yes, sir. That’s correct,” referring to the proposed investigator reporting line. Other members said doctors and medical groups had raised concerns that the change would concentrate investigative control in a single hireable executive instead of the full board.

Representative Marcel and others questioned whether the legislature should allow the governor to replace board members and whether the change would permit the governor to “wipe the whole board clean.” DeWitt told members the amendments sought to expand geographic representation and to address an accumulation of open investigations that he said had delayed outcomes.

Multiple members urged sending the bill to conference. Representative Stagney and Representative Egan recommended retreating to conference to reconcile the bill’s original intent — adding a physician assistant member — with the new Senate language that shifts investigative authority and alters appointment mechanics.

After extended questioning and debate, DeWitt moved to reject the Senate amendments. The House voted to reject the Senate changes; the clerk reported the result as 88 yays and 1 nay. Representative DeWitt said afterward he would pursue a conference process to address remaining differences.

The action left the underlying bill’s fate contingent on negotiations between chambers. The House’s rejection of those specific Senate amendments means the bill’s sponsors and Senate conferees must resolve the contested provisions before final passage can be completed.

Ending: Lawmakers said they want to preserve both robust oversight of physicians and faster, clearer investigation processes; several members urged further work in conference to reconcile those goals before any bill reaches final enactment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House of Representatives Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 138, which would revise the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, drew extended debate on the House floor and a vote to reject Senate amendments after lawmakers pressed the bill sponsor on oversight and appointment changes.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208641,"House asks Homeland Security panel to probe MISO outage after refinery flaring disrupted Southeast Louisiana",120,2400000,2520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f&start=2400&end=2520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","/articles/6208641/Louisiana/House-asks-Homeland-Security-panel-to-probe-MISO-outage-after-refinery-flaring-disrupted-Southeast-Louisiana","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208641-c4374d2a54cba522d05991fc1169d137/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450895&Signature=MUMEjH7FhsuzYAF34FwdKeIEauhAN-FGAyrWoLqvF-WHjHhdfrloK8NnKCpRt821rvEsA2i0DaQt8t3A7IcVYqyNSyePHNyvhYSv3MqhmkrbvYv6xmOLwbuqkbLnqSTAOJxbyvxx5~wmnw2AdLs8jv7bdKbpUinaTyK9OYox2s6diCahiRj82vPL2NH1K9586wsvgbT6W14m4CD~vaiGGqN1GQkCqQcTNW9RZJT7DDhO3MsXhzmTRrmY6-iZQB-RtL~NIs23seEQmUzt7EZ7rcyCyfZFee1z9e04pBdf2m3hqottVVWolys8On3kn4KKkHxb0sEb9WbxVQ5DSbvevQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bayham introduced a resolution asking the House Select Committee on Homeland Security to investigate a recent outage initiated by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) that affected Southeastern Louisiana and caused power loss at refineries and local response concerns.

\"Our refineries lost their energy. Our Homeland Security department in St. Bernard was not notified about this,\" Rep. Bayham said, describing refinery flaring and potential safety implications when plants lose power and must immediately dispose of process materials. He said the outage caused \"flare up at the refineries\" and that better communication was needed between operators, grid managers and local emergency responders.

Bayham told the chamber he had met with the committee chair and sought answers and possible improvements in notification and coordination so that refineries and local officials can respond safely if similar events recur. He moved final passage of the resolution and the House recorded the resolution as adopted with an affirmative recorded vote.

Ending: The resolution directs the Select Committee on Homeland Security to investigate the outage's causes and the state's notification and response; the committee is expected to report back with findings and recommendations.","A House resolution asked the Select Committee on Homeland Security to investigate a Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) event that caused power outages affecting refineries and local emergency notification practices.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208647,"House urges investigation of pharmacy benefit managers, sponsors say rebates not reaching patients",300,4320000,4620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f&start=4320&end=4620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f/thumbnail_4320000.jpg","/articles/6208647/Louisiana/House-urges-investigation-of-pharmacy-benefit-managers-sponsors-say-rebates-not-reaching-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208647-1180756d4f6ed89e4dea3da790a946b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450895&Signature=oSkxBRvvIyX1ZdMdW-hdj4KkD8D0-sbDl6prxopOfjDGe7fKoEovzxYZkS8barWOXvVLclab2ZXU5d8bnc8SXi54a8pFQWxPiW19mbvAs3ijfxLhC5KM7JZOId31TQYo69-2xWGURlK6RYWZLVwZULMYGIPqQQ8QecYCdbTulsHIUBIJavS-4joyF~bcn9-gsuVWxDWphqNxahv7iaJ9m0fxgP2yc61789OAod2ek2AYHH6THedmx2FVsIKOadJ6WFkJB5w8zbxKLDlxMtcpz31mTn~Bg~st4Fihg1AwyMSJuafoA6BS~2EGyi~9u7UVUblB6fXjPmJ9HxGksa2-Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House adopted a resolution urging the attorney general and the state Department of Insurance to investigate pharmacy benefit managers and their potential anti‑competitive practices.

Representative Miller, sponsor of the resolution, said PBMs act as middlemen negotiating manufacturer rebates and may also own pharmacies, creating a potential conflict. \"PBMs were created to negotiate prices and make them cheaper for the patient,\" Miller said. \"Now they've only became making the PBMs pocket fatter.\"

Members asked whether the resolution could lower pharmacy costs for constituents. Miller said the resolution would increase oversight and transparency, and he described cases where rebates negotiated by PBMs were not passed to patients, plans, or independent pharmacists. Representative Dane said small pharmacies in his district were struggling to compete with chains and PBM-owned outlets.

The House moved to final adoption and the clerk recorded the vote as 92 yays and 0 nays. The resolution passed unanimously by a large margin. Sponsors asked the attorney general and Department of Insurance to report back; the resolution did not prescribe specific enforcement steps.

Ending: The resolution asks state enforcement and regulatory agencies to investigate PBM practices and report findings to the legislature; watchers said any legislative remedies would follow agency review.","A House resolution urged the attorney general and Department of Insurance to investigate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Supporters said PBMs may keep rebates and steer prescriptions to PBM‑owned pharmacies rather than passing savings to patients or plan sponsors.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208651,"House approves language restricting consent decrees on redistricting, sparking extended Q&A on scope and courts",1380,3720000,5100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f&start=3720&end=5100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3743283-100b5c009d1f72e3c2085b294c64a39f/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6208651/Louisiana/House-approves-language-restricting-consent-decrees-on-redistricting-sparking-extended-QA-on-scope-and-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208651-d7f64dc40a7fe430bf94967b9a6fbe45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450895&Signature=UxfXAPmtOCqIcUUNN83NmkyEeILJA473QJo0eYxXaulqlDQwbGVbXzYR~2fhnQmAAU2Gy7MpxXrB38QADIJ1LtGiRarNgVid7vRi492IngMyBsdvvA2voDL5BqKLdJnczRa~xDoRyo~X2c4AsjCMLuVMu7S1tgN4WkQd0pChIXFcglltWXFc6gduS8pu8NBt5jYH~aNvxo7XV4-ayTPg-CUPBhtmIIicKoNSm5nn9m7QiaWCCC6lkskMFKhWAzyeAVj8yMyLL8F36u57BPnJApKQZ0Y2E-0OrnN0Kw2iCK4DiJMAbenPbLgUqv--XM~GLkawrFL24n77nMLY3NSM8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House members spent substantial floor time debating House Bill 206, a measure that bars certain elected officials from entering settlement agreements or consent decrees that would alter legislative redistricting or other district boundaries without action from the legislature.

Representative Mellorin, the concurrence sponsor, said the Senate language clarified ambiguity about whether the measure applied to redistricting. \"It clarified some language, and made it expressly clear that no elected official can enter into a consent decree, dealing with, or settlement agreement dealing with redistricting or reapportionment of maps of the legislature,\" he said.

Several members asked how the provision would interact with courts. Representative Marcel asked whether the change removed a tool from litigants and whether plaintiffs and defendants in litigation would be unable to reach settlement maps outside the legislature. Mellorin responded that a federal court could still order a map, but \"the 2 parties could not enter into an agreement. They couldn't have a settlement.\"

Representative Lyons asked whether the provision applied to local school boards or parish commissions; debate focused on whether the statutory language narrowed the rule to \"maps of the legislature\" or could extend to \"any other district map or boundary.\" The bill's sponsor repeatedly said the legislature should retain authority to change maps created by the legislature and that court-ordered maps remained unaffected.

After extended questions, the House voted to concur in the Senate amendments and approve the language clarifying consent‑decree limits. The clerk announced the concurrence vote as 67 yays and 26 nays. Supporters said the change protects the legislature's constitutional role in mapmaking; critics warned it could reduce settlement options in litigation and increase court‑ordered outcomes.

Ending: The measure now returns to the other chamber (or moves on according to interchamber process) with clarified language; members flagged the provision for stakeholders and legal counsel review ahead of any implementation.","The House voted to concur in Senate amendments to a bill that would bar elected officials from entering settlement agreements or consent decrees that alter legislative maps or other district boundaries without legislative approval. Lawmakers debated whether the change would limit local authority and court processes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Louisiana House debates changes to Medical Examiners board, votes to reject senate amendments after lengthy questioning

House asks Homeland Security panel to probe MISO outage after refinery flaring disrupted Southeast Louisiana

House urges investigation of pharmacy benefit managers, sponsors say rebates not reaching patients

House approves language restricting consent decrees on redistricting, sparking extended Q&A on scope and courts