(E)(1) The legislature shall annually appropriate the funds necessary to provide for Medicaid Program rates for each provider group which pays fees into the fund that is no less than the average Medicaid Program rates established for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 and which may be adjusted annually by establishing the rates of inflation, or rebasing if applicable, which rates shall not be negative, to be applied to the base rates to establish the new base rates for the next fiscal year as authorized by law. For the purpose of this Section, "Medicaid Program" shall refer to the Louisiana medical assistance program provided for in Title XIX of the Social Security Act, or its successor. (2) Notwithstanding Article VII, Section 10(F) of this constitution, neither the governor nor the legislature may reduce the base rate as provided for in this Paragraph to satisfy a budget deficit, except the governor may reduce the appropriation for the base rate if the following occur: (a) Such reduction does not exceed the average reduction of those made to the appropriations and reimbursement for other providers under the Medicaid Program, or its successor; and (b)(i) If the legislature is in session, the reduction is consented to in writing by two-thirds of the elected members of each house in a manner provided by law; or (ii) If the legislature is not in session, the reduction is approved by two-thirds of the members of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, or its successor.
Structure Louisiana constitution