Held the line
Scope of practice
The Society opposed measures that would have expanded non-physician authority over the diagnosis and surgical treatment of skin disease. No expansion passed.
2026 end-of-session report
Your dues, translated into law.
Across the March 9 – June 1, 2026 session, the Society tracked 43 bills touching dermatologic practice and saw 14 signed into law.
43
Bills tracked
14
Signed into law
1st
In the nation on generics
0
Scope expansions passed
Flagship win · HB 1154
The nation's first ban on prior authorization for generic drugs.
Louisiana became the first state to prohibit prior authorization for generic medications prescribed by board-certified specialists. For dermatology, that means topicals, retinoids, oral antibiotics, and antifungals reach patients without a payer detour — the single largest reduction in administrative burden Louisiana dermatologists have seen in a decade.
101–0
House vote
38–0
Senate vote
Signed
Authored by Rep. Brian Glorioso
Where the Society engaged
Landmark win
Prescription drug access & PBM reform
HB 1154 eliminates prior authorization for generics prescribed by specialists. Additional PBM transparency bills advanced but did not reach final passage.
Task force created
Medical liability
SR 160 established a study task force on medical malpractice, with physician representation, ahead of an expected 2027 reform package.
Act 469
Coverage & reimbursement
Biomarker testing coverage was expanded, improving access to diagnostics that guide treatment for melanoma and other cutaneous malignancies.
Guardrails set
AI & patient data
New requirements keep clinical decision-making with licensed physicians and set disclosure standards for AI tools used in patient care.
Act 345 · Act 649
Consent, minors & telehealth
Consent and minor-treatment standards were clarified, and telehealth practice standards were updated — relevant to teledermatology across rural Louisiana.
Looking ahead
On the agenda next session
- Medical malpractice task force recommendations
- Unfinished PBM transparency and reform bills
- Rural teledermatology access funding
- Provider-tax cap risk to Medicaid reimbursement