Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8314: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM

Raises the per diem rate by thirteen percent (13%) for Medicaid reimbursement for Tier C services provide by assisted living residence beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living services, directly strengthening funding for long-term care healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 3061: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires healthcare insurers, without prior authorization, to provide post-acute care services to patients discharged from a hospital for a minimum of seven (7) days commencing on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers provide post-acute care services for 7 days, improving patient access to essential healthcare services after hospital discharge.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2868: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

Increases continuing education requirements for physician assistants, removes restrictions of PAs to render charitable care and aid for school and youth programs or cardiac arrest and removes restrictive covenants as to ownership by a PA.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes restrictions on physician assistants providing charitable care and cardiac arrest aid, improving patient access to healthcare services.85% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2978: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

This bill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice registered nurses, granting them the same liability protections as physicians under Virginia's mental health law. The key provision states that neither physicians nor licensed advanced practice registered nurses can be held liable in court for their participation in mental health proceedings unless actual fraud or gross, willful, or wanton negligence is proven. It also clarifies that neither group can be sued for damages resulting from a patient exercising rights protected by the mental health law, such as discharge decisions, even if those actions contradict written medical orders. This change directly affects mental health facilities and healthcare providers by aligning the legal protections for nurses with those for physicians in this specific context.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice nurses in mental health proceedings, protecting healthcare providers and supporting mental health services access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2877: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Caps amount payable for 30 day supply of equipment/supplies for insulin administration/glucose monitoring at $25 or equipment designed to last more than 30 days with no deductible commencing January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill caps insulin administration costs, improving patient access to essential diabetes supplies and reducing financial burden on patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SR 3141: SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2026, AS "COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This Senate resolution officially designates March 2026 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of early detection and prevention. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal proclamation to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer screening and education. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant health organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology. The resolution recognizes the state's commitment to improving access to colorectal cancer screenings and honors past advocacy efforts in the area.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes colorectal cancer awareness and early detection, aligning with public health initiatives and patient education.90% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2862: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS

Allows foreign-trained dentists and dental hygienists to obtain limited licenses if they graduate from reputable dental colleges or universities, work under a supervising dentist, and pass a board-approved exam.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to dental services by allowing foreign-trained professionals to obtain limited licenses, improving patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2888: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

This bill allows pharmacists to prescribe medications that help people quit smoking, provided they have completed specific state-approved education on tobacco cessation therapies. It directly affects pharmacists and their employers by establishing new prescribing authority within their professional scope. The legislation requires pharmacists to complete education approved by the state board of pharmacy before they can use this new prescribing power. This change aims to expand access to smoking cessation treatments through pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands pharmacist prescribing authority for smoking cessation, improving patient access to healthcare services and expanding treatment options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2892: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM

This bill creates a pilot program and task force focused on using food as medicine, managed by the executive office of health and human services. The program would explore how dietary interventions can support health outcomes, though specific details like funding levels and participant criteria are not yet defined in the abstract. The measure is currently in the early stages of review and has been held for further study by the Senate committee. It does not yet establish any permanent regulations or mandate specific actions for healthcare providers or the public.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates pilot program exploring food as medicine to support health outcomes, indicating advancement of healthcare services75% confidence

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 3107: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

This bill expands Rhode Island's unfair discrimination protections in accident and sickness insurance policies to include additional categories such as sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and reproductive health services. It prohibits healthcare entities from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or discriminating against individuals based on characteristics including race, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, and gender identity, while also banning categorical exclusions for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare. The legislation requires insurers to provide clear notices to enrollees about their nondiscrimination rights and grievance procedures, and establishes penalties for violations while preserving legitimate medical management decisions unrelated to bias.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands protections against discrimination in health insurance, protecting patient rights and access to reproductive health services based on gender identity and sexual orientation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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