House Bill No. 489, introduced by Representative Hughes, aims to enhance Medicaid services related to maternal and infant health in Louisiana, which currently faces the highest maternal death rate and the second highest infant death rate in the nation. The bill enacts new provisions under Part V of Chapter 8 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, specifically R.S. 46:977.32 and 977.33. It mandates the Louisiana Department of Health to revise Medicaid coverage to include insurance for dietician and nutrition consultation without requiring a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, coverage for hospital-grade breast pumps for mothers in neonatal intensive care units, and funding for remote patient monitoring programs for pregnant and postpartum women.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Medicaid program must cover both inpatient and outpatient maternal and infant healthcare services when deemed medically necessary and provided by licensed healthcare professionals. The Louisiana Department of Health is also tasked with submitting necessary state plan amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and promulgating rules to implement these changes. The proposed law emphasizes the importance of improving access to nutritional services and lactation support to enhance health outcomes for mothers and infants.