Healthcare

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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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7721: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND BAN ON THE CORPORATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE ACT

HB 7721 establishes Rhode Island's first statewide ban on the corporate practice of medicine, prohibiting non-licensed entities (like corporations or management services organizations) from owning medical practices or interfering with physicians' clinical decisions. It requires that medical practices be majority-owned and controlled by licensed physicians, with physicians holding the majority of voting shares, board seats, and key leadership roles. The law also bans restrictive contracts, noncompete agreements, and advertising by non-physician entities that could undermine physician autonomy over patient care. This directly affects medical practices partnering with corporate management entities, ensuring doctors maintain control over clinical operations, staffing, and patient care standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans corporate ownership of medical practices, ensuring physicians control clinical decisions and patient care, directly protecting healthcare integrity and provider autonomy.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7942: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

HB 7942 requires insurance companies to prove that a healthcare service or procedure is not medically necessary before denying coverage. This directly affects patients seeking medical care and insurers conducting coverage reviews. The bill shifts the burden of proof from patients to insurers during utilization reviews, mandating that insurers justify denials with medical evidence. It aims to prevent arbitrary coverage denials by making insurers demonstrate medical necessity for each service request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShifts burden to insurers to prove medical necessity, preventing arbitrary denials and protecting patient access to covered services.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2560: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Permits licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits licensed providers to treat mental health/substance use disorders in community settings, directly expanding access to mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2468: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits insurer step therapy restrictions, enabling providers to bypass coverage sequences and improve patient access to necessary medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7617: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Provides that where the administration, use, or maintenance of epinephrine within schools and on buses is authorized, this use includes epinephrine delivery devices approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration and epinephrine nasal sprays.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes epinephrine auto-injectors/nasal sprays in schools for allergic reactions, improving emergency health access for students.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7749: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE

HB 7749 repeals the collateral source rule in medical malpractice cases, meaning defendants would no longer be allowed to introduce evidence of insurance or workers' compensation benefits the plaintiff received to reduce the damage award. This directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in medical malpractice lawsuits, as it would prevent courts from lowering awarded damages based on payments already received by the plaintiff from third parties (like health insurance or disability programs). The bill removes the current mechanism where defendants could show such benefits to reduce damages, and plaintiffs could counter with their own contributions to secure those benefits. If enacted, plaintiffs would receive full damage awards without deductions for pre-existing insurance benefits, while defendants could not offset payments through collateral sources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals collateral source rule in medical malpractice, preventing defendants from reducing damages based on insurance/compensation, thereby protecting patient compensation rights in healthcare lawsuits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 7994: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES -- THE POWERS AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

Expands the DCYF powers by overseeing and administer comprehensive behavioral health services for children with serious emotional disturbances and children with developmental or functional disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands DCYF oversight of behavioral health services for children with emotional/developmental needs, directly strengthening mental health care access and treatment under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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