Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8337: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires the executive office of health and human services to consider a new element when reviewing the appropriate Medicaid payments to be paid to nursing facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires consideration of new element in Medicaid payments to nursing facilities, potentially improving funding and care quality for nursing home residents.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2871: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Requires EOHHS to provide self-measured blood pressure monitoring for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, covering home monitors, training, data transmission, and co-interventions, with state funds if federal aid is unavailable.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for blood pressure monitoring for pregnant women, representing increased public service funding and fiscal investment in essential healthcare programs.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state-funded blood pressure monitoring for pregnant individuals, expanding healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8366: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS REQUIRED AT PUBLIC PLACES AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

This bill requires centers for independent living to have automated external defibrillators on site, expanding the list of healthcare facilities already mandated to have this equipment. The law defines healthcare facilities broadly to include hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other medical service providers, while public places like schools and restaurants must also maintain defibrillators. By adding independent living centers to the list of required locations, the bill aims to increase access to life-saving equipment in more community settings. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to all facilities meeting the specified definitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates AEDs at healthcare facilities and public places, improving emergency medical access and patient safety.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2992: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE DATA PRIVACY ACT

This bill establishes the Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act to protect personal health information related to reproductive and gender-affirming care from unauthorized collection and use. It defines specific categories of protected data, including gender-affirming care information and reproductive health details, and sets strict rules for how companies and organizations can collect, process, and share this information. The law requires clear, informed consent from individuals before their sensitive health data can be gathered, prohibits deceptive design practices that might trick users into sharing information, and restricts the use of broad terms of service agreements to obtain permission for data collection. The legislation primarily affects businesses and entities that handle consumer health data in Rhode Island, requiring them to implement specific privacy safeguards and obtain explicit authorization before processing sensitive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy rights for reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare data, strengthening patient protections and supporting access to these services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections for sensitive health information, regulating how companies collect and share personal data.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Data Privacy

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2887: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES-DENTAL INSURANCE COVERAGE

SB 2887 clarifies how dental insurance benefits are paid directly to healthcare providers under accident and sickness insurance policies. This change affects individuals with dental coverage and the dental providers who receive payments from insurance companies. The bill specifies the procedures for direct payment arrangements to ensure funds go straight to the provider rather than to the policyholder. It aims to streamline the billing process between insurers and dental practices without altering existing coverage requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines dental insurance payments to providers, improving billing efficiency and potentially enhancing access to dental care services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HR 8258: HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2026, AS "BLEEDING DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill officially designates March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in Rhode Island, raising public awareness about inherited blood clotting conditions like hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease. The resolution recognizes the national observance established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and builds on earlier state-level acknowledgments of these health conditions. By directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the New England Hemophilia Association, the bill facilitates coordination with advocacy groups to promote understanding of bleeding disorders and their impact on approximately 33,000 individuals with hemophilia and 3.2 million with Von Willebrand Disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes public awareness of bleeding disorders, supporting patient education and health advocacy efforts.85% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8335: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICAID AND COMMERCIAL PRIMARY CARE RATE ENHANCEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ACT

Expands the patient-centered medical home program to all Medicaid-accepting independent primary care practices and nurse practitioners and increases reimbursement rates to match Massachusetts and Connecticut rates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid primary care access and increases reimbursement rates, directly strengthening healthcare services and funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Primary Care

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2867: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CONFIDENTIALITY OF HEALTH CARE COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ACT

Provides conditions under which BHDDH has the authority to compel certain healthcare providers to finish requested healthcare records without violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient confidentiality rights by amending protections for healthcare communications and information access processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3028: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents denial of medical bill payment based on third-party claims, protecting patient access to healthcare services and strengthening financial protections for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2878: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS

This bill allows dental hygienists to receive payment from insurance sources other than the dentist's own plan, including third-party payors like Medicare. It directly affects dental practices by expanding the types of insurance that can reimburse dental hygienists for their services. The key provision removes previous restrictions that limited reimbursement to specific insurance arrangements, enabling broader payment options for dental hygiene care. This change applies to all dental practices employing dental hygienists within the state where the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands insurance reimbursement options for dental hygienists, improving patient access to care and strengthening healthcare service delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare