Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8308: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRIMARY CARE CONTRACTING GOOD FAITH ACT

This bill creates the Primary Care Contracting Good Faith Act, which would require commercial insurers, managed care organizations, and Medicare Advantage plans to negotiate in good faith with primary care physician practices at least once every 24 months. The negotiations must explicitly consider factors such as operating costs, inflation, staff wages, malpractice premiums, and other overhead expenses. Additionally, the law prohibits payers from refusing to negotiate or renew contracts solely based on a practice's size, ownership structure, patient panel size, or Medicaid volume. The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner would maintain a log of negotiation requests and issue annual reports, while complaints would be reviewed under existing authority. The act would take effect 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires insurers to negotiate in good faith with primary care physicians, protecting access and ensuring fair compensation for healthcare providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Primary Care

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8242: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- WELLNESS AND OVERSIGHT FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESOURCES ACT

Establishes an oversight process which would safeguard individuals seeking therapy or psychotherapy services by ensuring that the services are delivered by qualified, licensed, or certified professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes oversight to ensure therapy services are delivered by qualified professionals, protecting patient access to safe mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3038: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS

Requires a court considering evidence for the issuance of a temporary emergency protective order to cause the respondent to be taken into protective custody by law enforcement and sent to an emergency room of any hospital, pursuant to § 40.1-5-7.1.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protective custody procedures for high-risk individuals, enhancing public safety and law enforcement protocols within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates emergency protective custody and hospital ER access for high-risk individuals, ensuring immediate medical evaluation and care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Hospitals

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2853: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

Requires hospital emergency rooms and free-standing emergency care facilities to offer and provide pregnancy prevention medication to victims of sexual assault.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates emergency facilities provide pregnancy prevention medication to sexual assault victims, expanding access to critical healthcare services and protecting patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 3091: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

Charges the office of the health insurance commissioner to incorporate uncompensated care as a formula-driven numeric adjustment in the methodology used to establish any affordability standard or rate cap, applicable to hospital contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incorporates uncompensated care into rate-setting methodology, protecting hospitals financially and supporting healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3059: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY FREEDOM OF CHOICE--FAIR COMPETITION AND PRACTICES

This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers in Rhode Island by requiring them to register with the state and submit detailed annual reports about their financial relationships with insurers. It prohibits these managers from forcing pharmacies to substitute generic drugs without prescriber approval and bans them from stopping pharmacists from sharing pricing information with patients. The legislation also prevents pharmacy benefits managers from charging copayments that exceed what pharmacies are paid and mandates a clear appeals process for disputes over drug pricing. These changes directly affect pharmacy benefits managers, insurers, pharmacies, and patients who use prescription drug coverage in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens pharmacy oversight, protects patient rights to generic drugs and pricing information, and prevents forced substitutions without prescriber approval.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8310: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CREDENTIALING

This bill requires healthcare entities and health plans to process provider credentialing applications within 30 calendar days for new applications and 10 business days for providers already credentialed with Medicare. It also mandates that minor demographic updates, such as address changes, be completed within 5 business days. The bill includes provisions for automated status updates every 15 days, written explanations for denials, and retroactive reimbursement if payers miss deadlines. Additionally, it establishes a conditional approval process for resident graduates and requires the health insurance commissioner to enforce timelines through quarterly reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves healthcare provider credentialing efficiency, enhancing patient access and protecting provider rights through streamlined processes and timely reimbursements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Medicare

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 3128: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT

This bill directs the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission to allocate $200,000 annually to the Substance Use Mental Health Leadership Council for programs addressing hazardous and underage cannabis use, including education and environmental strategies. It also requires an additional $500,000 yearly appropriation to fund public-facing websites, social media platforms, and ongoing media campaigns related to cannabis safety. The Substance Use Mental Health Leadership Council must submit annual reports on how these funds are used to the Senate president and House speaker by October 1 each year. The legislation applies to the state's cannabis regulatory framework and affects the funding and oversight of public health initiatives related to cannabis consumption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $200,000 and $500,000 in funding for cannabis education and public awareness programs, directly advancing state budget allocation for public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funding to Substance Use Mental Health Leadership Council for programs addressing hazardous cannabis use and mental health, supporting public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Public Health

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 3155: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Exempts from taxation the property of the nonprofit Mount St. Rita Health Centre located in Cumberland, RI. The exemption would be effective as of December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts non-profit health center property from taxation, providing tax relief and supporting essential healthcare services85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts non-profit health center property from taxation, protecting financial stability and enabling continued healthcare services.85% confidence

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3060: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT

Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from the office of health insurance commissioner to operate such a business in this state and empowers the commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates pharmacy benefit managers to protect consumers and ensure oversight, strengthening healthcare system integrity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs