Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7430: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICARE FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

This is a non-binding House resolution (not a bill) introduced by the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It expresses concerns about Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which are private insurance options replacing traditional Medicare, noting issues like higher costs for patients during serious illness, narrower provider networks, and practices that allegedly prioritize insurer profits over patient care. The resolution urges federal lawmakers and agencies to take specific actions, including increasing transparency, auditing MA plans, regulating marketing, and prohibiting profit-driven practices like "cherry-picking" healthy enrollees. It does not create new laws but calls for administrative changes to protect Medicare beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges protection of traditional Medicare from Medicare Advantage plans, addressing patient costs and provider networks to safeguard healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2387: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- WHOLESALE PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION PROGRAM

Establishes the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program for the importation of wholesale prescription drugs from Canada, to provide savings to Rhode Island consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes drug importation program to lower prescription costs for consumers, improving medication access and affordability within healthcare system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7408: AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2026 RELATING TO ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOSPITAL

HB 7408 authorizes Rhode Island to set aside up to $18 million in a debt service reserve fund to support financing for the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, Inc. The bill creates a financial backup fund to enhance the creditworthiness of bonds used to purchase the hospitals, ensuring the sale process can proceed without state debt obligations. This funding mechanism directly supports the transfer of ownership to CharterCARE while preserving hospital services and approximately 2,700 jobs. The state’s contribution is limited to the reserve fund, with no obligation to replenish it, and any remaining funds would revert to the state budget. The bill focuses on enabling the hospital sale through bond financing, not altering hospital operations or patient care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $18M debt service reserve fund for hospital sale financing, directly allocating state budget funds to support transaction without increasing state debt obligations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $18M reserve fund to facilitate hospital sale to CharterCARE, ensuring continued healthcare services and operational stability for public hospitals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget Hospitals

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2049: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in prisons, directly enhancing rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for incarcerated individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2381: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires health insurance plans to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives. Insurers would be required to report utilization and cost data annually and certain limited benefit policies would be exempt.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance coverage for midwife services, expanding access to healthcare options and aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HR 7059: 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

HR 7059 is a joint resolution appropriating $100,000 to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging for the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This funding directly supports the state's ombudsman program, which advocates for residents in nursing homes (76 facilities, 8,405 beds), assisted living residences (65 facilities, 5,209 units), and specialized facilities like the Bristol Veterans’ Home. The program handles complaints - such as abuse, neglect, and care issues - on behalf of vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities receiving long-term care. The resolution addresses a funding gap, as the program’s workload has more than tripled since 2023, with complaints rising from 597 to 1,787 in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 to fund ombudsman program for long-term care facilities, directly increasing state budget allocation for public service advocacy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds ombudsman program advocating for nursing home/assisted living residents, directly protecting patient rights and care quality in long-term healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds ombudsman program serving Bristol Veterans’ Home, directly supporting veteran care oversight in a dedicated veterans' facility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2114: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSENT TO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE

Requires that an individual's caregiver be present when healthcare decisions are discussed with the hospice team. It would also prevent a denial of home hospice care because of age or income.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves age/income barriers to home hospice care, expanding access and protecting patient rights in healthcare decisions.95% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7029: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits certified nurses to provide at-home foot care, expanding patient access to routine services without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7347: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Limits prior authorization requirements for rehabilitative and habilitative services. Also prohibits prior authorization for the first twelve (12) visits of a new episode of care and for ninety (90) days following a chronic pain diagnosis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits prior authorization barriers for rehab/habilitative services and chronic pain care, improving patient access to timely treatment.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 7075: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- THE MATTHEW FEDERICO DIABETIC SAFETY ACT

Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for glucagon treatments without cost-sharing, expanding access to critical diabetes care and aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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