Healthcare (Primary Care)

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SR 3057: SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RHODE ISLAND'S HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE RELATED TO EDUCATING AND RETAINING PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS

Creates a 17-member Commission to study Rhode Island’s healthcare workforce related to educating and retaining primary care providers and who would report back annually to the President of the Senate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to study healthcare workforce education and retention, aiming to improve access to primary care providers.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 8222: HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "REACH OUT AND READ RHODE ISLAND DAY" ON MARCH 3, 2026 IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates March 3, 2026, as "Reach Out and Read Rhode Island Day" to honor the nonprofit organization that promotes early childhood literacy through shared reading. The resolution recognizes the program's work with pediatricians and family medicine providers to distribute free books to families with young children during medical visits. By officially commemorating this date, the state aims to raise public awareness about the importance of early literacy and acknowledge the organization's contributions to child development. The Secretary of State is authorized to send a certified copy of the resolution to the organization's executive director.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes early childhood literacy through shared reading, supporting educational access and foundational learning skills for young children.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill recognizes Reach Out and Read program that distributes free books during pediatric visits, supporting healthcare providers and early childhood health initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2831: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

Appropriates two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.7M to fund primary care training sites program, directly increasing government spending for public health services95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $2.7M to fund primary care training sites for physicians and nurse practitioners, directly strengthening healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8335: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICAID AND COMMERCIAL PRIMARY CARE RATE ENHANCEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ACT

Expands the patient-centered medical home program to all Medicaid-accepting independent primary care practices and nurse practitioners and increases reimbursement rates to match Massachusetts and Connecticut rates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid primary care access and increases reimbursement rates, directly strengthening healthcare services and funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8308: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRIMARY CARE CONTRACTING GOOD FAITH ACT

This bill creates the Primary Care Contracting Good Faith Act, which would require commercial insurers, managed care organizations, and Medicare Advantage plans to negotiate in good faith with primary care physician practices at least once every 24 months. The negotiations must explicitly consider factors such as operating costs, inflation, staff wages, malpractice premiums, and other overhead expenses. Additionally, the law prohibits payers from refusing to negotiate or renew contracts solely based on a practice's size, ownership structure, patient panel size, or Medicaid volume. The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner would maintain a log of negotiation requests and issue annual reports, while complaints would be reviewed under existing authority. The act would take effect 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires insurers to negotiate in good faith with primary care physicians, protecting access and ensuring fair compensation for healthcare providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 8268: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

This bill amends Rhode Island's Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act to require health insurers to contribute an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to support the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines. These programs provide mental health consultation and referral services to pediatric, perinatal, and primary care providers through telephone hotlines. The funding is collected from insurers based on their number of enrollees and deposited into a restricted account managed by the Department of Health. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health submit annual reports on program costs and provides insurers with access to detailed cost information upon request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to contribute $30M annually to fund mental health teleconsultation lines for pediatric and perinatal care, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8327: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRIMARY CARE ADMINISTRATIVE FAIRNESS ACT

Prohibits payers from requiring uncompensated referral coordination by primary care providers, require either elimination of referral prior authorizations, and prevent denial of lab coverage based solely on diagnostic coding differences.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects primary care providers from uncompensated work and prevents denial of lab coverage, improving patient access and protecting healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 3062: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

This bill expands Rhode Island's existing health professional loan repayment program to include healthcare providers working in primary care settings, in addition to those serving medically underserved populations. The program offers financial assistance to repay student loans for eligible professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who commit to working in designated shortage areas or primary care facilities for at least two years. A state board will administer the program, determining eligible locations based on health professional shortage area designations and primary care provider needs, while reviewing applications and verifying applicant qualifications. The legislation aims to address staffing challenges in primary care by providing incentives to help recruit and retain healthcare workers in areas with limited access to medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands loan repayment program to increase healthcare provider access in underserved areas, strengthening healthcare workforce and patient access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands loan repayment program for healthcare workers, supporting employment in shortage areas and improving access to healthcare professionals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7503: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

HB 7503 establishes a scholarship program to address Rhode Island's primary care provider shortage by offering financial support to medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The program provides up to $70,000 annually for medical students (over four years) and $47,000 annually for nurse practitioners/physician assistants (over two years), contingent on recipients signing contracts to work in Rhode Island primary care after graduation. Scholarships are administered by the commissioner of postsecondary education in coordination with the Department of Health, targeting applicants with strong academic records and a commitment to serve Rhode Island's population. Recipients must maintain academic standing and fulfill their service obligation in the state to receive funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical education to address primary care shortage, increasing provider access and strengthening workforce capacity in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7934: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

HB 7934 amends pharmacy laws to require parental consent for all immunizations given by pharmacists to individuals between the ages of three and eighteen. The bill also mandates that pharmacists electronically report these vaccinations to the Department of Health within seven days and notify the patient's primary care provider within fourteen days. Additionally, pharmacists must make a good-faith effort to identify a patient's primary care provider to facilitate this notification. This legislation directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, patients, and their parents or guardians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacy-administered immunizations for ages 3-18, improving access to preventive healthcare services without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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