Bill > HB944

This bill establishes the Women's Health Consortium within the Louisiana Department of Health, creating a network of public and private sector experts, health professionals, and policy leaders focused on advancing women's health in the state. The consortium will be composed of various members, including designees from state agencies like the Surgeon General and the Commissioner of Insurance, as well as representatives from prominent medical institutions and legislative bodies. Its key functions include developing a "Funding Priority Program for Women's Health Initiatives" to identify and prioritize funding for women's health programs, and creating an "Interagency Women's Health Agenda" that assesses the state's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in areas such as research, access to care, and public education related to women's health throughout their lives, with a specific focus on issues like perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. The consortium will also serve as a resource to the state, identify barriers to quality care, recommend solutions, evaluate training for medical professionals, and coordinate an online clearinghouse of credible health information for women.