Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8182: 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 access to reproductive healthcare services under public health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7628: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES-NON-OPIOID PAIN TREATMENT

HB 7628 requires health insurers in the state to develop plans providing adequate coverage and access to non-opioid pain management services, including non-opioid medications and non-drug alternatives, for policies delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2027. Insurers must submit these plans to the health insurance commissioner for approval, ensuring they do not unduly favor opioid coverage over other options. The plans must include educational materials for providers and be posted on insurer websites. This applies to all health insurance carriers offering prescription coverage, aiming to expand access to non-opioid pain treatment alternatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to provide adequate non-opioid pain management coverage, expands patient access to alternatives, and prohibits favoring opioid coverage per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7501: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

HB 7501 allocates $100,000 in the 2026-2027 budget to support mental health and emotional well-being for K-12 students in out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as after-school and summer programs. It provides funding for staff training in trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, mental health resources, and culturally responsive activities designed by local communities. The funds will be distributed competitively through Rhode Island’s Afterschool Network to prioritize programs serving high-need youth across urban, suburban, and rural areas. This policy directly affects community-based OST programs and their staff, enabling flexible support for youth mental health needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from state budget to fund mental health services in K-12 OST programs, advancing public service funding through fiscal appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100,000 for K-12 mental health in OST programs, funding staff training and culturally responsive activities to enhance student well-being and program quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100,000 for mental health services in K-12 after-school programs, funding trauma-informed training and peer support resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2562: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

SB 2562 requires health insurers to pay an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to fund telehealth services, specifically including the PediPRN (pediatric) and MomsPRN (maternal) teleconsultation lines. This funding is added to existing healthcare contributions and deposited into a dedicated "PRN account" managed by the Department of Health. The bill directly affects health insurers (through new fees) and benefits Rhode Island residents seeking timely mental health support for children, mothers, and perinatal patients. The funds will support statewide psychiatric consultation services for primary care providers, expanding behavioral health capacity without altering current insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew $30M annual fee on insurers funds telehealth services, directly increasing public healthcare funding through dedicated budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds telehealth services for pediatric/maternal mental health via $30M insurer fee, expanding access and strengthening coverage for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Telehealth

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 7945: 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 HealthcareMandates insurers use accepted standards for mental health/substance use coverage, expanding access and strengthening service protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 8114: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

HB 8114 requires the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) director to share a child’s school enrollment information with the child’s school nurse when that child is placed in foster care. This directly affects school nurses, DCYF staff, and children in foster care who attend public schools. The key provision mandates DCYF to proactively provide this enrollment detail to school nurses to ensure continuity of care. The bill aims to improve communication between child welfare and school staff for foster youth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures school nurses receive enrollment data for foster youth, promoting educational continuity and access for vulnerable students in K-12 settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DCYF to share enrollment data with school nurses for foster children, ensuring continuity of healthcare services and improving access to school-based health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce Tags Children

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2567: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNIVERSAL AND UNIFIED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ACT

SB 2567 establishes a universal single-payer healthcare system called "RICare" for all Rhode Island residents, replacing the current multi-insurer model with a publicly administered system funded through state taxes. It aims to guarantee universal access to primary and preventive care while reducing administrative costs and medical debt by consolidating payments into one system. Key provisions include creating a RICare Board, defining healthcare terms, and requiring coordination with state agencies to implement the system after securing federal approval. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced February 2026, referred to Senate Health Committee) and does not specify funding details or timelines for full implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds universal healthcare via state taxes, increasing public spending on essential services while reducing administrative costs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes universal single-payer system (RICare) guaranteeing primary/preventive care access, reducing administrative costs/debt via consolidated public funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 7535: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- COMPASSIONATE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare facilities to permit medicinal cannabis use for terminally ill patients, improving patient access to treatment within healthcare settings.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 8134: 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, expanding access to care and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7816: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

HB 7816 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Rhode Island to provide written medical justification when denying coverage for prescription drugs. The bill mandates that denials include a detailed, clinically supported reason based on recognized medical standards, reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional, and delivered simultaneously to both the prescribing provider and the patient. It applies to all prescription drug benefit denials under insurance plans governed by Rhode Island law, without changing the terms of the insurance contracts themselves. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to justify prescription denials with medical rationale, enhancing patient access and transparency in insurance coverage decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track