House committee reports bill to require insurer coverage for perinatal inpatient behavioral‑health care

The Louisiana House Insurance Committee on May 28 voted to report Senate Bill 42, a measure aimed at ensuring coverage for voluntary inpatient behavioral‑health treatment for pregnant and postpartum patients, after extended testimony from providers and insurers.

The bill, carried in the Senate by Sen. Selders and presented to the committee by hospital representatives, would require insurers to cover voluntary inpatient treatment for patients with a perinatal psychiatric diagnosis when a treating physician determines the admission to be medically necessary. Supporters said the measure addresses coverage gaps and high denial rates that are preventing vulnerable patients from receiving timely inpatient care.

Supporters from Woman’s Hospital described the unit they opened last September to treat pregnant and postpartum people with severe perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. “We have seen a total of a 70 women who have been affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that are severe enough to require inpatient medical treatment,” said Sheree Johnson, chief nursing officer at Woman’s Hospital. The hospital’s vice…