Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8360: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

This bill prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from engaging in specific deceptive trade practices, including spread pricing, effective rate pricing, and patient steering. It directly affects pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, pharmacists, and patients enrolled in health plans administered by these managers within Rhode Island. The legislation defines prohibited actions such as charging higher prices than reimbursed amounts, steering patients toward affiliated pharmacies, penalizing enrollees for pharmacy choices, and misusing patient prescription data for business gain. Violations are classified as unfair and deceptive trade practices, allowing the attorney general to pursue legal remedies for each individual consumer transaction where a prohibited act occurs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patients from deceptive practices by pharmacy benefits managers, improving transparency and access to affordable medications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3088: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- EQUITABLE FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BAD DEBT

Establishes a procedure for a health insurer to reimburse a healthcare provider no less than sixty-five percent (65%) of each unpaid co-payment, co-insurance or deductible amount due, after reasonable collection efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires insurers to reimburse providers for unpaid patient costs, improving provider financial stability and potentially increasing access to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 3153: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE--LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM

Authorizes the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases resource eligibility limits for long-term care recipients, expanding financial assistance and improving access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3099: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court programs as recovery court, expanding eligibility to include non-violent offenses beyond just drug-related charges. The legislation creates a new position of drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court, who will preside over adult recovery court programs that combine court authority with therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants. Key provisions include establishing a ten-year appointment term for magistrates, defining screening criteria for program admission, and granting magistrates the power to impose incarceration for violations of court conditions. The bill also clarifies that participants must sign contracts outlining program expectations and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug court to recovery court, broadening eligibility and adding therapeutic treatment, which aligns with rehabilitation and criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands drug court programs to recovery court, increasing access to therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants, which supports mental health and healthcare services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges Substance Abuse

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2806: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- EQUAL PAY FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates equal reimbursement for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, increasing healthcare funding and access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 3156: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Provides that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist requires the dentist to accept exclusively by virtual credit cards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by preventing dental plans from mandating exclusive virtual credit card acceptance, ensuring broader payment options and access.75% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 3089: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT

This bill prohibits healthcare companies from unilaterally changing important terms in contracts with healthcare providers while the contracts are still active. It directly affects health plans and healthcare providers by requiring mutual written agreement for any contract changes or allowing changes only when required by state or federal law. The law defines material terms to include reimbursement rates, payment schedules, coverage rules, and quality requirements, ensuring providers have stability during contract periods. Any proposed changes not mandated by law must be given at least 90 days notice before a contract renewal takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers from unilateral contract changes, ensuring stable reimbursement rates and payment schedules, which strengthens healthcare access and quality assurance.90% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SR 3145: SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This Senate resolution officially designates March 2026 as National Social Work Month in Rhode Island to honor the contributions of social workers in the state. The measure recognizes the profession's role in addressing mental health, addiction, poverty, and social justice issues across schools, hospitals, and government agencies. It calls on citizens to support the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's executive director.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors social workers who address mental health, addiction, and social justice issues in healthcare settings, indirectly supporting healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 3020: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM -- ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY MEDICAID RATES

Requires the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to apply an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) to the Medicaid reimbursement rates paid for assisted living services provided pursuant to this chapter.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates automatic cost-of-living adjustments to Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living services, directly increasing healthcare funding and protecting long-term care access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 8245: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires the state, and private insurers that cover prescription hormone therapy, to dispense twelve (12) months’ worth of the prescription as a single prescription.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to provide 12 months of hormone therapy prescriptions, improving patient access and reducing administrative burdens for healthcare providers.90% confidence

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