Sen. Dominick Ruggerio

Maddy summarySB 168, the Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025, prevents insurance companies from requiring prior approval (where patients or doctors must get insurance permission before a service) for any medical service ordered by an in-network primary care provider. This means patients can receive care recommended by their primary care doctor without waiting for insurance review, directly affecting patients, primary care providers, and insurers. The key provision prohibits insurers from imposing prior authorization for these services, streamlining access to care. The bill applies to all health insurance plans operating in Rhode Island, removing a common administrative barrier for routine primary care referrals.

Amends the definition of the practice of pharmacy to include the administration of all forms of influenza immunizations including COVID-19 to individuals over the age of 3 years pursuant to a valid prescription or prescriber approved protocol.

Maddy summarySB 17 requires retailers to clearly disclose all mandatory fees and rebate amounts at the point of purchase when advertising goods. It directly affects retailers who advertise products with rebates or additional fees, mandating they state the full price including rebate details in advertisements and provide the rebate amount to consumers at checkout. The bill amends deceptive trade practices law to prohibit advertising net prices (after rebates) without confirming rebate availability at purchase, shifting the burden to retailers to redeem manufacturer rebates. This takes effect January 1, 2026.

Grants the director of the department of health the authority to approve or deny any applications for professional licensure pending before certain boards of licensure that have been unable to establish a quorum for 30 business days.

Maddy summarySB 172 caps interest rates on medical debt at a maximum of 4% annually (and minimum of 1.5%), based on the weekly average Treasury yield published by the Federal Reserve. It directly affects consumers who owe healthcare providers for services, limiting interest charges on new medical debt incurred after the law takes effect. The bill sets the interest rate using the Federal Reserve's weekly Treasury yield data from the week before the consumer received their bill. This policy change applies only to new medical debt, not existing balances.

Prohibits credit reporting, executions, attachments against a principal residence for judgments based on medical debt. Defines medical debt as an amount for the receipt of health care services, products, or devices.

Maddy summarySB 171 would allow Rhode Island's executive office of health and human services to use state funds to support graduate medical education programs at academic medical centers serving critically ill and indigent patients. The bill directs these centers to receive funding for training in key areas like trauma, primary care, maternal health, mental health, and substance abuse. It requires the health office to establish annual Medicaid payment mechanisms to distribute these funds. If passed, this would change how state Medicaid funds support medical residency programs, though it remains pending Senate approval as of June 17, 2025.

Ensures public access to lead service lines to determine the existence of lead within the water connection. This act also ensures mitigation measures and replacement lines are consistent with the current version of 40 C.C.R. 141 Subpart I.

Maddy summarySB 165 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by including them under the definition of third-party administrators. It requires PBMs to file annual reports detailing their financial arrangements with insurers and their organizational structure if affiliated. The bill specifically prohibits "spread pricing," which means PBMs cannot charge health benefit plans and covered persons more for a prescription drug than what they pay the pharmacy, less an administrative fee. This aims to ensure fair pricing practices for prescription drugs, directly affecting PBMs, health benefit plans, and individuals covered by those plans.

Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to monitor and mandate changes to the price-setting practices of pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit the spread pricing payment model.