Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7268: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABILITY ACT

Amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of the small employer health insurance availability act to mean a business employing less than one hundred (100) employees rather than fifty (50) employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands small employer eligibility from 50 to 100 employees, increasing access to health insurance coverage for more businesses.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance eligibility for more small employers, increasing access to employee benefits under employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Tags Small Business

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7158: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS

Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester would be eligible for the same medical benefits as other state employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides medical benefits to adjunct faculty at state colleges, supporting higher education educators' welfare and retention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical benefits to adjunct faculty, expanding coverage under state employee healthcare program per bill's eligibility provision.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends medical benefits to adjunct faculty meeting teaching hours threshold, strengthening worker benefits and aligning with full-time employee coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 2117: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026

Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces toxic metals in personal care products, directly decreasing environmental pollution from harmful substances while prioritizing public health through safer alternatives.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes safety standards for personal care products to reduce toxic metals, directly advancing public health protection under healthcare topic through testing and labeling requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2051: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LILA MANFIELD SAPINSLEY COMPASSIONATE CARE ACT

Establishes the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables terminally ill patients to access physician-prescribed end-of-life care, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions per the Compassionate Care Act.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2115: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

SB 2115 requires all Rhode Island hospitals to have a notary public available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This applies directly to hospitals and ensures patients can get advance healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and wills notarized during hospitalization, either in person or by a notary visiting the patient's room. The notary must verify signatures with valid ID and be accessible through the patient services department. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change medical care standards, only hospital administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide 24/7 notary services for healthcare directives, enhancing patient access to legal documents for care planning and protecting patient rights during hospitalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2084: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SB 2084 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents from $75 to $100. This change directly affects residents in state-licensed nursing homes by providing them with an additional $25 per month for personal expenses like toiletries or minor comforts. The bill amends Section 40-8-2(7)(v) of the General Laws to update this allowance amount. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to existing funding without altering eligibility or other program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding allocation for nursing home resident personal expenses, directly advancing budget appropriation for essential services without tax impact.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases monthly personal needs allowance for nursing home residents from $75 to $100, directly enhancing financial support for healthcare-related personal expenses.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7429: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits physical therapy copays to primary care physician levels, improving patient affordability and access to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SR 2257: SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SR 2257 is a Senate Resolution requesting Rhode Island's Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to adopt an electronic Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) system by January 1, 2027. This system is required by federal law to screen individuals with serious mental illness or intellectual/developmental disabilities before nursing home admission, directly affecting Medicaid-certified nursing facilities and vulnerable residents. The resolution asks EOHHS to investigate cost savings, potential partnerships with neighboring states, and federal funding to implement the digital system, which aims to reduce unnecessary institutionalization and support community-based care options. (Note: As a procedural resolution, this is a request to the executive branch, not a law requiring immediate action.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequests adoption of federal PASRR system for mental health/developmental disability screening in nursing homes, ensuring vulnerable residents receive appropriate care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7143: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Repeals the certificate of need process statutes which are used by the department of health to determine the need for new health care equipment and new institutional health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals certificate of need requirements, removing regulatory barriers to new healthcare services/equipment and improving access to care.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7392: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

HB 7392 caps the maximum application fee for healthcare facilities seeking approval to build new or expand tertiary or specialty care services under Rhode Island's certificate of need program at $25,000. The fee is calculated as $10,000 plus 0.25% of the project's total capital costs, but the total cannot exceed $25,000 regardless of project size. This change affects facilities planning high-level care expansions, ensuring predictable costs without exceeding the cap. The bill does not alter fee structures for other healthcare facility applications, such as those for general services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps application fees for healthcare facility expansions, reducing financial barriers to new services and ensuring predictable costs for tertiary/specialty care projects.85% confidence

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