Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 7110: 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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets safety standards for personal care products to reduce toxic metals, prioritizing public health through testing and labeling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7427: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- THE PRIMARY CARE PRESERVATION ACT

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from restricting physician fees for overhead, enabling providers to sustain operations and maintain access to care without financial barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Primary Care

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 7109: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PATIENT BROKERING ACT

HB 7109 bans healthcare providers and facilities from paying or receiving money (like commissions, kickbacks, or bonuses) to refer patients to other providers or facilities. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and brokers involved in patient referrals, prohibiting financial incentives that steer patients. The bill establishes penalties: fines of $50,000 for fewer than 10 patients, $100,000 for 10-19 patients, and $500,000 for 20+ patients, enforced by the Rhode Island Attorney General. Certain exceptions apply, such as standard insurance agent fees or payments within group practices. The law aims to prevent unethical financial arrangements in healthcare referrals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans financial incentives for patient referrals, preventing conflicts of interest and protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7116: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health curriculum for all schools, requiring 4 hours of instruction for 7th graders, directly enhancing student programs and curriculum standards in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health curriculum for seventh graders, directly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare education95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Mental Health

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 7186: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NOTIFICATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AFTER EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Amends the definition of infectious diseases to include the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and would include emergency medical technicians eligible for benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends definition to include COVID-19 for EMT benefits, protecting medical professionals' access to healthcare-related benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures benefits for first responders exposed to infectious diseases, enhancing workplace safety protections for emergency workers.90% confidence

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2360: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS

Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387 k as a tobacco product sold/distributed to reduce the harm/risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces cigarette tax by 75% for specific tobacco products, decreasing state tax revenue. This weakens tax collection, aligning with 'oppose' stance on Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces cigarette tax on tobacco products, potentially increasing consumption and conflicting with public health efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7190: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE BY HEALTH INSURERS TO MANAGE COVERAGE AND CLAIMS ACT

HB 7190 requires health insurers in Rhode Island to disclose how they use artificial intelligence (AI) to manage healthcare claims and coverage decisions. Insurers must report AI models, training data, performance metrics, and documentation of AI-influenced decisions to state regulators, and maintain records for five years. Crucially, the bill mandates that any AI-driven denial of medically necessary care must be reviewed and approved by a licensed healthcare provider with the same specialty as the ordering provider before finalization. This directly affects insurers, enrollees (patients), and healthcare providers by adding human oversight to AI decisions on coverage. The law aims to ensure transparency and accountability in AI use for non-administrative coverage decisions, such as denials of medically necessary treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates human review of AI-denied medically necessary care, protecting patient access and preventing unjust denials in insurance coverage decisions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurer transparency on AI use in healthcare decisions, requiring disclosure of models/data and provider review of denials - aligns with regulating AI for consumer protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2246: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FAMILY CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT ACT

SB 2246 establishes a Rhode Island tax credit to help unpaid family caregivers offset out-of-pocket costs for caring for eligible relatives. It provides a 50% credit (up to $1,000 annually) for qualifying expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, hired aides, respite care, or adult day care, directly benefiting caregivers with household incomes under $50,000 ($100,000 for couples). To qualify, the caregiver must provide unpaid support for a relative aged 65+ or with Social Security Disability, who needs assistance with at least two daily living tasks (e.g., bathing, feeding) and resides with them in Rhode Island for six+ months. The credit applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2026, and excludes costs covered by insurance or general home maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit (50% up to $1,000) for low-income caregivers, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief for middle/lower income households.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for healthcare-related caregiver expenses (medical equipment, respite care), reducing financial barriers to care access for seniors and disabled relatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2118: 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 via OHIC to improve primary care coordination and health outcomes, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2384: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST PROTECTION

SB 2384 sets a legal limit on how much Rhode Island state programs, public employee health plans, and participating employer health plans can pay for certain prescription drugs. It prohibits these entities from purchasing or reimbursing drugs above a federal "maximum fair price" rate established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Any savings generated from this price cap must be used to lower costs for enrollees, with annual reports required to track how savings address health equity gaps. The bill applies to drugs covered under federal law (P.L. 117-169) and includes fines of $1,000 per violation for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets price cap on prescription drugs to lower costs for enrollees, directly improving affordability and access to medications under state health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track