Healthcare (Medicaid)

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $118,422 to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network to support Rhode Island’s Medicare-Medicaid Dual Ombudsman Program.

HB 7426 allows nurse anesthetists with two or more years of supervised experience to practice independently without physician oversight for anesthesia care. It defines "non-supervised CRNAs" and grants them authority to administer anesthesia, manage patient care, and issue medication orders (with written guidelines for certain actions), while requiring hospitals to permit this independent practice. The bill also mandates the state health department to seek a Medicaid waiver by September 2026 to update reimbursement policies for CRNAs under Medicaid. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Prohibits insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services.