Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8329: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TERMINAL PATIENTS' RIGHT TO TRY ACT

This bill, known as the Terminal Patients' Right to Try Act, would allow terminally ill patients in Rhode Island to access unapproved drugs, biologics, or medical devices that have completed early clinical trials but are not yet FDA-approved. The law directly affects patients with life-threatening conditions who have exhausted standard treatment options, as well as healthcare providers, facilities, and drug manufacturers involved in their care. Key provisions include granting immunity from lawsuits to manufacturers and providers if they follow proper procedures and obtain informed consent, while also defining specific eligibility criteria such as requiring physician diagnosis and excluding those who can participate in standard clinical trials. The legislation aims to remove legal barriers to accessing experimental treatments while maintaining oversight through institutional review boards and informed consent requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients, protecting their right to try unapproved therapies when standard options are exhausted.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 3023: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Mandates health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings in order to enable patients to get the critical care they need without delay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings, improving patient access to critical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 3022: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires insurers to develop plans for coverage and access to nonnarcotic, nonopioid and nonmedication pain management for moderate to severe pain. It further restricts utilization review for nonopioid drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates pain management plans and restricts utilization review for nonopioid drugs, improving patient access to non-narcotic pain treatments.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7936: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT

Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes data privacy protections for public health information, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes data privacy protections for public health data, directly aligning with technology policy on data privacy regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 7631: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MEDICARE ENROLLMENT

Requires the EOHHS to disregard an individual’s assets or resources, when determining an individual’s eligibility for any Medicare beneficiary program, contingent on federal approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDisregards asset checks for Medicare eligibility, expanding access to coverage without federal approval requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7503: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

HB 7503 establishes a scholarship program to address Rhode Island's primary care provider shortage by offering financial support to medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The program provides up to $70,000 annually for medical students (over four years) and $47,000 annually for nurse practitioners/physician assistants (over two years), contingent on recipients signing contracts to work in Rhode Island primary care after graduation. Scholarships are administered by the commissioner of postsecondary education in coordination with the Department of Health, targeting applicants with strong academic records and a commitment to serve Rhode Island's population. Recipients must maintain academic standing and fulfill their service obligation in the state to receive funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical education to address primary care shortage, increasing provider access and strengthening workforce capacity in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7928: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING ACT

Establishes, encourages and supports the establishment of family councils and resident councils in managed residential communities providing assisted living services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes resident councils in assisted living facilities to enhance oversight and resident involvement, supporting patient-centered care standards within healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7940: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

HB 7940 prohibits insurance companies and health plans in Rhode Island from denying coverage or imposing restrictions based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, or reproductive health needs. It specifically bans discrimination in coverage for gender-affirming care and reproductive services (including abortion, contraception, and lactation support), and requires insurers to provide clear grievance procedures for discrimination complaints. The bill applies to all health insurance plans offered by licensed insurers, hospitals, and health plans in the state, directly affecting both insurers' policies and policyholders' access to care. It expands existing anti-discrimination rules to include new categories like gender expression and pregnancy-related conditions while maintaining medical necessity as a valid coverage criterion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance discrimination based on protected characteristics, mandates coverage for gender-affirming care and reproductive services, protecting patient access to healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2714: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ABUSE IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

Removes the intent requirement relative to the definitions of "abuse" within the chapter on "abuse in healthcare facilities" and amends the definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" with regard to elderly affairs by deleting the element of willful conduct.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves intent requirement for abuse definitions, strengthening patient protection standards in healthcare facilities per bill summary.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7921: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACISTS TEST-AND-TREAT AUTHORITY ACT

Authorizes pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications, and permits coverage by all health insurance carriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to order tests, prescribe meds, and mandates insurance coverage, expanding patient access to healthcare services and aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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