Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7741: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows expanded telemedicine access by out-of-state providers, improving patient access to care without licensing barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8175: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires Medicaid to cover services by licensed certified lactation counselors and EOHHS to oversee and implement the program and track related costs and use. It also ensures reimbursement consistent with similar providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include licensed lactation counselors, improving access to maternal health services and ensuring reimbursement consistency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2685: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

SB 2685 increases the reimbursement rates that individual and group health insurance plans must pay for ambulance services. This directly affects ambulance providers (who receive higher payments) and insurance companies (which must cover these increased costs). The bill changes how insurance companies compensate emergency medical transportation services, ensuring higher payments for covered ambulance trips under existing health plans. It does not alter coverage eligibility or create new benefit requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases insurance reimbursement rates for ambulance services, strengthening provider payments and ensuring better coverage for emergency medical transportation under existing health plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HR 7708: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,700,000 TO BE USED FOR MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND EQUITY

This bill appropriates $2.7 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the state department of health for maternal health initiatives. The funds are allocated to four specific programs: $750,000 for maternal health data tracking, $1.2 million for workplace health programs, $600,000 for community health access grants, and $150,000 for advisory council operations. These funds directly support state-level maternal health efforts, including data collection, workplace wellness, community access, and community engagement. The appropriation requires no new policy changes but provides dedicated funding for existing maternal health programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $2.7M annually for maternal health programs, increasing state funding for public health services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $2.7M for maternal health programs including data tracking, workplace health, and community access grants, directly advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $1.2M to workplace health programs, directly advancing workplace safety and health standards under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Women's Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 7704: AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION TO ISSUE BONDS FOR A MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Submits a proposition to be placed on the ballot at the next general election authorizing the issuance of bonds for a medical school on the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds new medical school at URI via bond issuance, directly supporting higher education infrastructure expansion and institutional capacity.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes bond issuance for a medical school at URI, directly funding medical education and training of healthcare professionals, strengthening healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2542: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased state Medicaid funding via general revenue, boosting public health spending. Explicitly requires additional budget allocation for pediatric care services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare for pediatric services, expanding coverage and funding for children/pregnant women healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Children's Health Medicaid Medicare Tags Children

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7967: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT--NO LIMITATION ON HEALTHCARE BENEFIT PROVIDERS

Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals restriction preventing collective bargaining agreements from specifying healthcare providers, enabling employee choice and access to preferred providers.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals restriction on specifying healthcare providers in collective bargaining agreements, strengthening worker benefits negotiation within labor relations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7536: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

HB 7536 requires health insurance companies in this state to cover specific pharmacist services that would otherwise be covered if provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. It mandates coverage for services like medication management, immunizations, patient evaluations, and lab test ordering without requiring physician supervision or referrals. Health plans must include pharmacists in their medical provider networks (not just pharmacy drug networks) and cover these services both within and outside their networks when local providers aren't available. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and expires January 1, 2031, unless extended by the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pharmacist services (medication management, immunizations) without physician referral, expanding patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Prescription Drugs

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7793: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes universal school breakfast/lunch program in RI public schools, expanding student access to nutrition and supporting school meal funding through phased implementation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates universal school meal program promoting student nutrition, directly advancing public health programs under healthcare topic as defined.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7861: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Prohibits the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits genetic discrimination in life/disability/long-term care insurance, protecting patient access to coverage and preventing unfair premium practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care

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