Sen. Linda Ujifusa

Maddy summarySB 465 prohibits life insurance companies licensed in the state from denying coverage or excluding benefits due to a person’s preexisting medical conditions or prior insurance denials. It directly affects residents seeking life insurance policies within the state, ensuring they cannot be refused coverage based on health history. The bill voids any preexisting condition exclusion language in applications, binders, or policies, making such terms unenforceable. This policy change would take effect immediately upon passage, requiring insurers to offer coverage without these restrictions.

Requires each healthcare entity/network plan to compile/report to health insurance commissioner a summary of how the healthcare entity/network plan requires its contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services.

Creates the Rhode Island Individual Market Affordability Act of 2024 to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in the health insurance coverage through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange.

Establishes a single-payer health care insurance system, consolidating public and private payments into a more efficient Medicare-for-all style program, funded by progressive taxes, to reduce health care costs.

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, 2026.

Amends the current law in order that a health insurer would not require a physician, to participate in "capitation," or any other "alternative payment model" that creates a financial incentive for a physician to limit medically necessary care.

Directs the RITBA design a safety barrier or netting system on the several bridges within its authority. Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100 ft) would be required to have safety barriers of safety netting.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 597) formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women’s Day" and the entire month of March 2025 as "Women’s History Month" within Rhode Island. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or funding changes, intended solely to honor women’s contributions. The resolution cites historical Rhode Island women and global observances to support this recognition. It was passed by the Rhode Island Senate on March 4, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to notify the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 54 prohibits Rhode Island health insurance providers from requiring prior approval (preauthorization) for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services. This directly affects insurers and patients seeking these specific treatments, ensuring they can access care without waiting for insurance approval. The bill amends existing law to align mental health/substance use coverage with medical care parity, building on an existing 2018 agreement by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. It does not change coverage for other medical conditions or out-of-network services.

Maddy summarySB 193 requires health insurance plans (including group plans and individual policies) to cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment on the same terms as physical health care. Key provisions include banning annual or lifetime dollar limits, ensuring cost-sharing (like copays) matches primary care, and prohibiting stricter restrictions (such as prior authorizations) for mental health services. The bill mandates insurers to use established clinical standards - like those from the American Society of Addiction Medicine - to determine coverage levels. This directly affects all insured individuals seeking mental health or addiction treatment, ensuring parity in coverage with medical conditions.