Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2467: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

SB 2467 prohibits health insurance companies from requiring prior approval (preauthorization) for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services, including both inpatient and outpatient care. This directly affects patients seeking these specific treatments through in-network providers, removing a common administrative barrier. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, and aligns with existing requirements ensuring mental health coverage is treated equally to physical health coverage under insurance plans. It does not apply to out-of-network services or change other coverage rules like cost-sharing parity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves preauthorization barriers for mental health/substance use coverage, improving patient access and aligning with parity laws to strengthen mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 7939: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Raises the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health insurance reimbursement for such services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes minimum commercial health insurance reimbursement rate for mobile response services, ensuring fair provider payment and improving access to care for 18-21 year olds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2561: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- REGULATE HEALTH INSURANCE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REHABILITATIVE AND HABILITATIVE SERVICES ACT

Limits prior authorization requirements for rehabilitative and habilitative services. Also prohibits prior authorization for the first twelve (12) visits of a new episode of care and for ninety (90) days following a chronic pain diagnosis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits prior authorization barriers for rehab/habilitative services, improving patient access to care per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7587: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance program from requiring prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior authorization barriers for anticonvulsant/antipsychotic meds, improving patient access to essential treatments under medical assistance program.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7697: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7697 exempts prescribed scalp hair prosthetics and wigs from sales tax when medically necessary to treat hair loss from a health condition. This directly affects individuals with medical conditions like alopecia or cancer treatment side effects who require these items. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly include "prosthetic devices" (defined as items necessary for medical treatment) under existing sales tax exemptions, alongside items like durable medical equipment. The policy change applies only to sales tax on qualifying products purchased by consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medically necessary hair prosthetics from sales tax, providing tax relief for individuals with health conditions like alopecia or cancer treatment side effects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medically necessary hair prosthetics from sales tax, reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with conditions like cancer treatment side effects, improving access to essential healthcare items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 2660: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL

SB 2660 creates a state-level tick control program under the Department of Environmental Management to manage tick populations and reduce public health risks. The program would be implemented by the Department to address tick-borne illnesses, directly affecting residents in areas with significant tick activity. Key provisions include establishing guidelines for tick surveillance, prevention strategies, and public education efforts, though specific methods or funding details are not outlined in the abstract. The bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes state tick control program to reduce tick-borne illnesses, directly advancing public health initiatives under healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 7943: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

HB 7943 prohibits health insurers from requiring preauthorization for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services, directly affecting insured patients seeking these treatments within their plan's network. The bill mandates that coverage for mental health and substance use disorders must meet the same terms as medical care, eliminating annual/lifetime dollar limits and ensuring cost-sharing parity with primary care visits. Key provisions include banning non-quantitative treatment restrictions that are stricter than those for medical conditions and requiring insurers to use American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria for substance use disorder coverage. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies specifically to in-network services as defined in the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits preauthorization and mandates parity for mental health/substance use coverage, eliminating barriers and ensuring equal treatment as medical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7486: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates PCMH sites to improve primary care coordination and outcomes, advancing patient-centered healthcare delivery per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7686: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

Appropriates two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.7M to fund primary care training program, directly increasing public service funding within state budget.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds primary care training for physicians and providers, directly strengthening healthcare workforce development and access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 2694: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE--DISABLED VETERAN HOME MODIFICATION ACT

SB 2694 prevents state fees for home modifications required to accommodate a veteran's disability, directly benefiting disabled veterans needing accessibility changes. The bill amends the state building code to prohibit local governments or agencies from charging fees for these specific modifications, such as installing ramps or grab bars. It applies to modifications mandated by a veteran's disability, ensuring no additional costs for essential accessibility improvements. The bill was introduced in February 2026 and referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee, with no further action taken yet.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes fees for disability-related home modifications (ramps, grab bars), directly improving accessibility for veterans' healthcare needs under building code, aligning with patient access and support indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates state fees for disabled veterans' required home modifications (ramps, grab bars), directly reducing financial barriers to accessibility improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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