Louisiana got one right
The state is one of just four mandating full coverage for menopause—and it got there first.
Louisiana is one of four states in the country that mandates insurance coverage for menopause treatment. Not California. Not New York. Louisiana.
Why it matters: The state that ranks near the bottom on most women's health measures got this one right—and got there first.
How it happened: House Bill 392, sponsored by Rep. Aimee Freeman of New Orleans, passed in 2024 and took effect Aug. 1 of that year.
- Freeman brought the bill after doctors complained they couldn't get hormone replacement therapy covered by Medicaid for patients experiencing menopause and perimenopause.
- The law requires both Medicaid and private insurers to cover it.
The big picture: More than half of U.S. states have introduced menopause-related legislation since 2023, with eight bills now law.
- California passed coverage mandates twice—Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed them both. Maryland and New Jersey recently joined the list.
- Of the four states that mandate full coverage, only Louisiana and Illinois cover all patients. Oregon and Washington cover some.
The bottom line: Credit where it's due. For Louisiana to be ahead of the curve on anything not related to football, food or having a good time is rare—but leading the charge on women's health is rarer still.
