Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2118: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates PCMH sites via OHIC to improve primary care coordination and health outcomes, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2101: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SB 2101 establishes Rhode Island's Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address provider shortages. It provides up to five $70,000 annual scholarships per year for medical students and five $47,000 annual scholarships for nurse practitioner or physician assistant students. Recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island primary care for a period matching their scholarship duration (4 years for med students, 2 years for NPs/PAs) and sign a promissory note for funds received. The program, administered by the Department of Health and Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, aims to recruit and retain primary care providers to meet the state's growing healthcare needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides scholarships for medical students and allied health students, directly funding higher education in a specific field to address healthcare workforce shortages, aligning with education funding support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes scholarships to address primary care shortages, funding education for providers to improve access and address workforce gaps.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2360: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387 k as a tobacco product sold/distributed to reduce the harm/risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces cigarette tax by 75% for specific tobacco products, decreasing state tax revenue. This weakens tax collection, aligning with 'oppose' stance on Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces cigarette tax on tobacco products, potentially increasing consumption and conflicting with public health efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SR 3312: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $4,800,000 TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

SNAP) EAT WELL, BE WELL REWARDS PROGRAM (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $4,800,000 to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eat Well, Be Well Rewards Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $4.8M to fund the SNAP program, directly increasing government spending on essential public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $4.8M to SNAP's nutrition program, which improves dietary access and supports public health outcomes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 3062: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

This bill expands Rhode Island's existing health professional loan repayment program to include healthcare providers working in primary care settings, in addition to those serving medically underserved populations. The program offers financial assistance to repay student loans for eligible professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who commit to working in designated shortage areas or primary care facilities for at least two years. A state board will administer the program, determining eligible locations based on health professional shortage area designations and primary care provider needs, while reviewing applications and verifying applicant qualifications. The legislation aims to address staffing challenges in primary care by providing incentives to help recruit and retain healthcare workers in areas with limited access to medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands loan repayment program to increase healthcare provider access in underserved areas, strengthening healthcare workforce and patient access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands loan repayment program for healthcare workers, supporting employment in shortage areas and improving access to healthcare professionals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2109: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 2109 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring or conducting insurance reviews for prescriptions used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. Specifically, it blocks reviews for medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, or for any FDA-approved medication managing opioid withdrawal. The bill directly affects patients seeking addiction treatment and insurers/pharmacy managers handling these prescriptions. It also requires Medicaid managed care organizations to use state-set medical necessity criteria for reviews. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBlocks insurer reviews for opioid/alcohol treatment meds (methadone, buprenorphine), improving patient access to essential addiction care without unnecessary barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SR 2753: SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT A VETERANS HOME WORKFORCE ANALYSIS TO GUIDE POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS

This Senate resolution asks the Rhode Island Governor to order an analysis of why the state's Veterans Home in Bristol cannot hire enough staff to operate at full capacity. The requested study will examine specific issues such as wages, shift pay, housing, and career opportunities to understand the root causes of the staffing shortage. Based on the findings, the Governor must create a plan to reach full occupancy and include those recommendations in the upcoming state budget. This measure directly affects the Veterans Home, the state's Department of Administration, and the budget process for the 2027-2028 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates a workforce analysis and requires the Governor to include staffing recommendations in the upcoming state budget, directly advancing fiscal planning for essential public services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to resolve staffing shortages at a Veterans Home to improve operational capacity and patient care access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to resolve staffing shortages by analyzing wages and benefits, indicating support for improving labor conditions.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to resolve staffing shortages at a Veterans Home to enable full capacity operation, directly supporting veteran care services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SR 2789: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER HEALTHCARE PLAN

Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, directly supporting educators by addressing their health benefits and well-being.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, indicating intent to expand health coverage for educators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, which would expand worker benefits and improve healthcare access for teachers.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3088: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- EQUITABLE FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BAD DEBT

Establishes a procedure for a health insurer to reimburse a healthcare provider no less than sixty-five percent (65%) of each unpaid co-payment, co-insurance or deductible amount due, after reasonable collection efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires insurers to reimburse providers for unpaid patient costs, improving provider financial stability and potentially increasing access to care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2890: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Mandates health insurance coverage for medically necessary hormonal/non-hormonal therapy to treat symptoms of peri-menopause/menopause, if therapy is recommended by qualified healthcare provider licensed in RI and has proven safe and effective.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for medically necessary menopausal therapy, expanding health benefits and improving patient access to treatment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track