Creates a 15-member joint commission to study and provide recommendations regarding safe staffing ratios in hospitals, and who would report back to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027, and expire on January 30, 2028.
This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court programs as recovery court, expanding eligibility to include non-violent offenses beyond just drug-related charges. The legislation creates a new position of drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court, who will preside over adult recovery court programs that combine court authority with therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants. Key provisions include establishing a ten-year appointment term for magistrates, defining screening criteria for program admission, and granting magistrates the power to impose incarceration for violations of court conditions. The bill also clarifies that participants must sign contracts outlining program expectations and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.
Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.
This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacy benefit management services in Rhode Island by requiring them to register with the Department of Business Regulation and file detailed public reports on their financial arrangements and corporate relationships. It mandates that these managers cannot stop pharmacists from telling patients about drug costs or alternative purchasing options, and it prohibits charging copayments that exceed the actual amount the pharmacy receives for dispensing a prescription. Additionally, the law requires a streamlined appeal process for pharmacies to resolve disputes over multi-source generic drug pricing within fifteen days. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure fair competition in how prescription drug benefits are administered.
Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from DBR to operate such a business in this state. Empowers the health insurance commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.
This bill expands the ability of people with Medicare to buy supplemental insurance without being rejected due to their health history. It directly affects individuals who enroll in these plans outside their initial enrollment period, including those under 65 with disabilities or kidney disease. The key change requires insurers to offer coverage without medical underwriting during specific times, such as the annual enrollment period, as long as there has been no significant gap in prior coverage. Additionally, the law mandates that these policies cannot deny benefits based on preexisting conditions that occurred within six months of the policy start date.
This bill expands the ability for people to buy Medicare supplement insurance without being denied coverage based on their health history. It specifically helps individuals under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or kidney disease, as well as those who have maintained continuous coverage since their initial enrollment period. The law requires insurers to offer these policies without medical underwriting or charging higher premiums due to preexisting conditions during specific enrollment windows. By removing these barriers, the bill aims to ensure broader access to supplemental health coverage for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.
Requires that reimbursement rates for certified mobile response and stabilization services be equal to or greater than the prevailing integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilizations services.
