Lawmaker Who Supported Formulary to Resign

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 | 0

A state lawmaker who helped lead the charge for a drug formulary for the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration will step down March 1 to spend more time with his family.

Rep. Chris Broadwater

Rep. Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond, sent House colleagues a letter on Monday saying, “It is time for me to refocus my attention on the wonderful family with which I have been blessed,” The Advocate reported.

Broadwater, the former director of the Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration from February 2008 to November 2010, last March introduced House Bill 529 to establish a formulary.

The proposed legislation died in the House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, of which Broadwater was vice chairman.

Broadwater ultimately threw his support behind HB 592, which called for a formulary based on the most recent version of the Official Disability Guidelines.

HB 592 passed the House 58-36 but died in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee after Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards threatened a veto.

Broadwater, 45, has represented the 86th House District in Tangipahoa Parish since 2011. A special election to fill his seat will be held Feb. 17, with a runoff, if needed, slated for March 24, The Advocate reported.

The regular session of the Louisiana Legislature begins March 12.