Sen. Josh Miller

Maddy summarySB 2366 establishes a new subsidy program designed to help low-income households afford their home energy bills. The law requires large electric and gas utilities to create a tiered payment plan that caps utility costs at a specific percentage of a customer's income, with discounts applied to both monthly bills and past owed amounts. Eligible households are defined as those earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level, and the program's cost will be covered by rate adjustments for all other customers. The Public Utilities Commission will oversee the creation and approval of these plans, ensuring they balance affordability for low-income families with reasonable administrative expenses.

Authorizes emergency medical service agencies to transport individuals to alternative facilities for treatment and permits licensed providers for mental health disorders to treat patients within the community.

Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to present to the general assembly a plan for the realignment of state hospitals into a department of hospitals no later than September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a price cap for prescription drugs purchased by the state, public health plans, and private ERISA plans that choose to join the program. It requires these entities to pay no more than a specific "maximum fair price" set by the federal government for certain drugs, while still allowing pharmacies to charge a separate fee for dispensing the medication. Participating organizations must report any money saved from these lower prices to the insurance commissioner and use those funds to reduce costs for their members or promote health equity. The law also mandates that drug sellers maintain a local office in Rhode Island and authorizes the attorney general to impose fines on anyone who violates the pricing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance plans to cover mobile response and stabilization services for children and youth up to 18 years old experiencing acute mental health crises. These services involve rapid on-site assessment and early intervention for issues such as aggression, self-injury, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and severe family conflict. The legislation mandates that these mobile services be treated the same as other behavioral health treatments regarding coverage, regardless of how they are billed. Insurance providers offering accident and sickness, nonprofit hospital, nonprofit medical service, or health maintenance organization plans must include this coverage starting January 1, 2025.

Requires insurance coverage for all community health workers' services to include health and promotion coaching, health education and training, health system navigation and resource coordination services, care planning and follow-up care recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Rhode Island Drug Cost Review Commission to address rising prescription drug prices by treating them similarly to regulated utilities. The new commission will consist of five appointed members and a thirteen-member advisory board representing patients, doctors, insurers, and other stakeholders. Manufacturers must notify the commission if they plan to increase drug prices by more than ten percent or introduce new drugs costing over thirty thousand dollars annually, triggering a public review process. During these reviews, the commission will analyze costs and vote on whether to set price limits for payers, with decisions made publicly by a simple majority vote.

Requires coverage for residential/inpatient mental health services for detox/stabilization/substance abuse disorders without preauthorization or be subject to concurrent review during the first 28 days.

Requires the disclosure of the transfer of certain assets of healthcare facilities and would provide penalties for failing to file healthcare facility ownership information.

Brings greater public scrutiny to the public auction sales of real estate in Rhode Island by requiring public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein shall only be done in person, not by electronic or remote procedures.