Healthcare

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

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2891: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Clarifies and updates language in the office of state medical examiners statute to address outdated or ambiguous language, outdated practices, outdated position titles/qualifications, and ensure compliance with federal HIPAA requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates medical examiner statutes to ensure HIPAA compliance, protecting patient privacy rights and modernizing healthcare administration practices.75% confidence

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

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 8372: HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MARCH 31, 2026 AS “ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OF RHODE ISLAND ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS DAY” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This resolution designates March 31, 2026, as Alzheimer's Association of Rhode Island Advocacy and Awareness Day in the State of Rhode Island. The measure formally recognizes the importance of raising public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and supporting affected individuals and families. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Alzheimer's Association of Rhode Island. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the organization's advocacy efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and supports affected individuals and families through symbolic recognition.75% confidence

Track