Louisiana HB 184: PHARMACIES: Provides an exemption to certain outpatient prescription fees for charitable pharmacies (OR -$3,754 SD RV See Note)

Bill Text

HLS 26RS-226 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 184
BY REPRESENTATIVE MELERINE
PHARMACIES: Provides an exemption to certain outpatient prescription fees for charitable
pharmacies
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 46:2625(A)(1)(introductory paragraph) and to enact R.S.
3 46:2622(19), relative to charitable pharmacies; to create an exemption to certain fees
4 for charitable pharmacies; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 46:2625(A)(1)(introductory paragraph) is hereby amended and
8 reenacted and R.S. 46:2622(19) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §2622. Definitions
10 As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
11 * * *
12 (19) "Charitable pharmacy" means the practice of a pharmacy at a site where
13 prescriptions are dispensed by a charitable organization free of charge to
14 appropriately screened and qualified patients.
15 * * *
16 §2625. Fees on healthcare providers; disposition of fees
17 A.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health is hereby authorized to adopt and
18 impose fees for healthcare services provided by the Medicaid program on every
19 nursing facility, every intermediate care facility for people with developmental
20 disabilities, every pharmacy in the state of Louisiana except for charitable
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HLS 26RS-226 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 184
1 pharmacies and certain out-of-state pharmacies, dispensing physicians, and medical
2 transportation providers. The amount of any fee shall not exceed the total cost to the
3 state of providing the healthcare service subject to such fee. In addition, the amount
4 of the fees imposed under the rules and regulations adopted shall not exceed the
5 following:
6 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
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 184 Original 2026 Regular Session Melerine
Abstract: Exempts charitable pharmacies from certain fees collected by the La. Dept. of
Health.
Present law authorizes the La. Dept. of Health to impose fees for healthcare services
provided by the Medicaid program on all nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities,
pharmacies in the state, certain out-of-state pharmacies, dispensing physicians, and medical
transport providers.
Proposed law defines "charitable pharmacy" as the practice of a pharmacy at a site where
prescriptions are dispensed by a charitable organization free of charge to appropriately
screened and qualified patients.
Present law provides that a pharmacy shall pay a fee not exceeding $0.10 per outpatient
prescription dispensed.
Proposed law creates an exemption to the fee requirements of present law for charitable
pharmacies.
(Amends R.S. 46:2625(A)(1)(intro. para.); Adds R.S. 46:2622(19))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.