Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2876: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS

Caps the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for a covered prescription inhaler, prescription device, or prescription equipment to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill caps out-of-pocket costs for prescription inhalers at $25 per 30-day supply, improving patient access to essential respiratory medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 8268: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

This bill amends Rhode Island's Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act to require health insurers to contribute an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to support the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines. These programs provide mental health consultation and referral services to pediatric, perinatal, and primary care providers through telephone hotlines. The funding is collected from insurers based on their number of enrollees and deposited into a restricted account managed by the Department of Health. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health submit annual reports on program costs and provides insurers with access to detailed cost information upon request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to contribute $30M annually to fund mental health teleconsultation lines for pediatric and perinatal care, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Primary Care

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 3064: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Establishes the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provides an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $5M appropriation for medical school development, directly funding a public service and expanding educational infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $5M to establish a medical school at University of Rhode Island, expanding higher education access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical school and provides $5M initial funding to expand healthcare workforce and services90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 3058: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- 988 CALL CENTER AND CRISIS OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION SERVICES CENTER OPERATIONS ACT

Establishes the operations necessary for a 988 hotline for suicide prevention/behavioral health crisis management. Establishes the operations necessary for acute mental health crisis outreach/stabilization services in direct response to the 988 hotline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes 988 suicide prevention hotline and mental health crisis services, directly expanding access to behavioral healthcare and strengthening mental health infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2884: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004--HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

Requires health insurance commissioner to conduct a review of health insurance benefit mandates, including an analysis of the impact on premium costs, conducted every 5 yrs and report findings and recommendations to governor, senate president and speaker.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes oversight of health insurance benefit mandates to analyze impact on costs, promoting transparency and potentially protecting consumer access to healthcare benefits.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2872: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- COMPASSIONATE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to medicinal cannabis for terminally ill patients within healthcare facilities, improving treatment options and protecting patient rights.85% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2880: 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 for Medicaid payments to nursing facilities, potentially strengthening funding for healthcare services.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8327: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRIMARY CARE ADMINISTRATIVE FAIRNESS ACT

Prohibits payers from requiring uncompensated referral coordination by primary care providers, require either elimination of referral prior authorizations, and prevent denial of lab coverage based solely on diagnostic coding differences.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects primary care providers from uncompensated work and prevents denial of lab coverage, improving patient access and protecting healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3085: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE--LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM

This bill establishes a long-term care reform system in Rhode Island that prioritizes funding for home and community-based services over institutional care for people aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities. It directs the state to allocate at least 50% of Medicaid long-term care funding toward community-based options while maintaining financial stability for existing services. The legislation creates a tiered eligibility system with common income standards for both institutional and home-based care, and includes protections for current nursing home residents who might otherwise lose coverage if they transition to community settings. Additionally, the bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living services by 13% starting in 2027 and consolidates various home and community-based service programs into a single system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes funding for home and community-based services over institutional care, expands access to long-term care options, and maintains financial stability for existing services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2870: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACT

Requires any licensed lab performing blood lead analyses of a child under 6 to be certified by the director and said laboratory must perform this test regardless of the child or child’s parent’s ability to pay and at no cost.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates free lead poisoning testing for children under 6, improving public health access and protecting vulnerable populations from health risks.95% confidence