Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2034: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

SB 2034 requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover at least one type of buprenorphine (used for opioid use disorder treatment) without any copayment or deductible for every 12-month plan year. It applies directly to insured individuals in the state who use these insurance plans, starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that plans provide this coverage for all forms of buprenorphine administration, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for this medication. Plans may still apply deductibles for health savings account (HSA) pairs, but early implementation before 2027 is permitted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for buprenorphine without copay/deductible, improving access to opioid use disorder treatment per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7330: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS

Allows private employees at nursing homes, developmental disability and home care providers whose salaries are 90% funded with federal or state monies to be eligible to opt into the state healthcare plan.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands state healthcare plan eligibility for employees at publicly funded care facilities, increasing access to benefits for workers in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands healthcare benefits access for eligible workers in state-funded facilities, aligning with worker benefit protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2350: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school health policies for seizure medication access, directly enhancing student safety and well-being in K-12 settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires policies for administering seizure rescue meds to students with epilepsy, directly improving access to critical healthcare services in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2109: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 2109 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring or conducting insurance reviews for prescriptions used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. Specifically, it blocks reviews for medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, or for any FDA-approved medication managing opioid withdrawal. The bill directly affects patients seeking addiction treatment and insurers/pharmacy managers handling these prescriptions. It also requires Medicaid managed care organizations to use state-set medical necessity criteria for reviews. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBlocks insurer reviews for opioid/alcohol treatment meds (methadone, buprenorphine), improving patient access to essential addiction care without unnecessary barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7278: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- TELEMEDICINE COVERAGE ACT

Permits healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients remotely with store-and-forward technology when provision of services in such manner is consistent with the standard of care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits telemedicine coverage, expanding patient access to healthcare services via remote diagnosis and treatment consistent with medical standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2110: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS IN CHILDREN RELIEF FUND

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for medical assistance, increasing government spending on public health services per bill's funding allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund to cover uncovered medical costs for children's catastrophic illnesses, expanding financial healthcare access and filling coverage gaps.95% confidence

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SR 2104: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

This resolution appropriates $100,000 from state funds to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, operated by the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care. It directly supports vulnerable residents in 76 nursing facilities (8,405 beds), 65 assisted living residences (5,209 units), and two specialized facilities, who file complaints about care issues, abuse, or rights violations. The funding addresses underfunding that has not kept pace with a tripling of complaints since 2023 (1,787 in 2025), ensuring the ombudsman program can continue investigating and resolving resident concerns. This is a procedural budget allocation, not a policy change, aimed at maintaining existing oversight services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from state funds to fund essential long-term care ombudsman program, addressing underfunding for vulnerable residents in care facilities.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds ombudsman program addressing care complaints/abuse in long-term facilities, protecting patient rights and improving oversight for vulnerable residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7010: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Provides that licensed independent clinical social workers be able to enroll and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with Medicaid fee-for-service coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables licensed social workers to directly bill Medicaid, expanding mental health access for beneficiaries under fee-for-service coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2255: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND INDIVIDUAL MARKET AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2026

Enacts the RI individual market affordability act of 2026 to establish a program to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in individual health insurance coverage through the RI health benefits exchange.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a program to reduce out-of-pocket costs for low/moderate-income individuals in the health insurance market, directly expanding access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7171: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PATIENT PAYMENT INFORMATION

Prohibits a healthcare provider from requiring patients to provide electronic payment information to be kept on file as a condition to receiving treatment and makes it a violation a deceptive trade practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare providers from requiring electronic payment info as treatment condition, protecting patient rights from deceptive practices per bill summary.90% confidence

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