JOINT RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING HEALTHSOURCE RI

This bill directs HealthSource RI to form a working group that studies how to create a state program helping Rhode Islanders afford health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs. The group must include representatives from various sectors, such as insurance companies, healthcare providers, and consumer advocates, and it must analyze how the upcoming expiration of federal tax credits in 2025 could make coverage unaffordable for many residents. The working group is instructed to propose a plan based on a $20 million budget and to explore different ways to fund this assistance, including taxes or assessments on the health industry. Finally, the group must submit its recommendations to state leaders by January 31, 2025, to help address rising healthcare expenses for individuals in the state's individual insurance market.