Healthcare

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2669: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits consistent with Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid coverage for midwife services, expanding access to reproductive healthcare under Medicaid rules without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2464: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

SB 2464 requires Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner to produce annual reports on insurer practices, including fee schedules, provider credentialing processes, and data disclosure methods for healthcare facilities. The bill mandates that a professional-provider-health-plan work group (part of an advisory council) compile specific data to help consumers compare quality and costs of care. These reports, due by January 1, 2027, will cover topics like insurance dispute resolution, real-time enrollment verification, and the impact of "silent PPOs" on providers. The legislation directly affects health insurers, medical providers, and consumers by increasing transparency in health insurance operations and pricing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer transparency reports and consumer data tools to improve care comparison and oversight, advancing patient access and rights through accountability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7795: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage by allowing reimbursement for graduate intern services, increasing access to healthcare providers under supervision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2564: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Provides that for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, payors would rely upon criteria which reflect generally accepted standards of care when developing coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers use accepted standards for mental health/substance use disorder coverage, expanding access and protecting patient rights per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7938: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS -- QUALIFYING LANGUAGE

HB 7938 requires the state department of health to administer the licensing exam for certified nursing assistants in both English and Spanish. This directly affects nursing assistants seeking licensure, particularly Spanish-speaking applicants, by improving access to the exam. The bill mandates that the exam be offered in both languages without changing the content or requirements for passing. It takes effect upon passage and does not alter other provisions like fee structures or exemptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates bilingual licensing exams for nursing assistants, improving access for Spanish-speaking applicants and enhancing healthcare workforce diversity without altering requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMakes licensing exam accessible in Spanish, removing language barrier for nursing assistants seeking employment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Professional Licensing

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2666: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID REFORM ACT OF 2008

Requires Medicaid to provide coverage for fertility medication, care, and services, for at least 3 cycles of fertility treatment, and intrauterine insemination.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for fertility treatments, expanding health insurance access for reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2671: 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 certified lactation counseling services, ensuring reimbursement consistency and improving maternal health access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2485: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS ACT

SB 2485, the Parents' Bill of Rights Act, requires written parental consent for most healthcare services provided to minors in Rhode Island, including medical procedures and prescriptions, with exceptions for abortions and certain clinical lab services. It mandates that schools and healthcare providers notify parents about their children's health and well-being information, grant parents access to school and medical records (except in limited circumstances like ongoing investigations), and prohibit institutions from withholding such information without justification. The bill also establishes parental rights to direct education, moral training, school enrollment choices, and consent for biometric data, DNA collection, or recordings of minors. It applies directly to parents, public and private schools, healthcare providers, and government entities handling minors' affairs. The legislation does not override court orders in child welfare cases or permit unlawful parental conduct.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRequires parental consent for minors' healthcare services, restricting access to medical care without parental permission, aligning with 'restricts health coverage' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2483: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MEDICAL ETHICS DEFENSE ACT

SB 2483, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," grants healthcare providers (like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists), healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics), and healthcare payers (insurance companies, health plans) the right to refuse specific medical services or procedures that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The bill protects these entities from civil, criminal, or administrative liability and prohibits discrimination - including termination, loss of licensure, or denial of contracts - when they decline to participate in or pay for services based on conscience. It explicitly states this right applies only to specific services violating conscience, not to refusing all care, and excludes insurance negotiations from discrimination claims. The bill does not require providers to offer alternative care for services they refuse.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows providers to refuse services based on beliefs, restricting patient access to specific medical care like abortion or contraception, directly limiting healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 7693: 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 & TaxesRequires state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates for pediatric services, directly funding an essential public health program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare for pediatric services, expanding access and funding for children's healthcare coverage.95% confidence

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

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