Healthcare (Medicaid)

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 · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2880: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires the executive office of health and human services to consider a new element when reviewing the appropriate Medicaid payments to be paid to nursing facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires consideration of new element for Medicaid payments to nursing facilities, potentially strengthening funding for healthcare services.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3085: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE--LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM

This bill establishes a long-term care reform system in Rhode Island that prioritizes funding for home and community-based services over institutional care for people aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities. It directs the state to allocate at least 50% of Medicaid long-term care funding toward community-based options while maintaining financial stability for existing services. The legislation creates a tiered eligibility system with common income standards for both institutional and home-based care, and includes protections for current nursing home residents who might otherwise lose coverage if they transition to community settings. Additionally, the bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted living services by 13% starting in 2027 and consolidates various home and community-based service programs into a single system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes funding for home and community-based services over institutional care, expands access to long-term care options, and maintains financial stability for existing services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8174: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits consistent with Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid coverage for certified midwives, expanding access to maternal health services without restricting benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8175: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires Medicaid to cover services by licensed certified lactation counselors and EOHHS to oversee and implement the program and track related costs and use. It also ensures reimbursement consistent with similar providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include licensed lactation counselors, improving access to maternal health services and ensuring reimbursement consistency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2542: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased state Medicaid funding via general revenue, boosting public health spending. Explicitly requires additional budget allocation for pediatric care services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare for pediatric services, expanding coverage and funding for children/pregnant women healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Children's Health Medicaid Medicare Tags Children

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2554: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE MEDICAID REENTRY ACT

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration when possible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures Medicaid access during incarceration/reentry, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid enrollment continuity for inmates during incarceration, ensuring health coverage access per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2572: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

SB 2572 permits physician assistants (PAs) to practice without a physician's direct supervision and allows them to receive direct Medicaid payments for services. The bill removes the requirement for PAs to have a written agreement or direct oversight from a physician, enabling them to provide medical care collaboratively within their training. It also increases the number of PAs on the licensing board from three to five and requires the Department of Human Services to update regulations for direct Medicaid payments to PAs. This changes existing practice rules without creating new medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves supervision barriers for PAs, enables direct Medicaid payments, and increases access to care - expands healthcare delivery and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 7591: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LICENSING AND MONITORING OF CHILD PLACING AGENCIES, CHILD CARING AGENCIES, FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE HOMES, AND CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

HB 7591 requires all out-of-state foster care facilities placing children in Rhode Island to register with the state Medicaid program as a Medicaid provider. This directly affects out-of-state foster care agencies seeking to place children in Rhode Island, ensuring they meet Medicaid requirements for reimbursement. The bill includes a waiver provision allowing emergency placements at non-Medicaid facilities if no provider is available. It does not change existing licensing standards for in-state agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires out-of-state foster care agencies providing children's behavioral health to register as Medicaid providers, ensuring reimbursement and access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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