Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 3305: SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 2026, TO BE "ALS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This Senate Resolution officially designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive and currently incurable disease. The bill aims to educate the public about the condition and show support for patients, their families, and researchers working toward a cure. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to ALS United RI, a local organization that advocates for people living with the disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates a month for ALS awareness to educate the public and support patients, families, and researchers, aligning with indicators that support patient rights and health advocacy.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 8578: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY CAREGIVERS SUPPORT ACT OF 2013

This bill, known as the Family Caregivers Support Act of 2013, aims to protect employees who care for family members from discrimination in the workplace. It makes it illegal for employers to refuse to hire someone, fire them, or penalize them in any way because of their caregiving duties. The law also requires employers to consider requests for flexible schedules or remote work to handle medical appointments and therapy, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the business. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees have some flexibility if they can prove that meeting these requests would be too burdensome. If a caregiver believes their rights were violated, the Human Rights Commission is authorized to investigate and order remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, and compensation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects employees' ability to provide caregiving, supporting access to health services and family care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects employees from discrimination due to caregiving duties and mandates reasonable accommodation, directly advancing worker rights.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 3179: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Prohibits the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits genetic discrimination in insurance, protecting patient rights and expanding access to coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8490: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE NOREEN DREXEL BIRTHING CENTER FUND

Establishes a fund within the department of health to support the operation and expansion of women’s, maternal, and infant health and birthing services at Newport Hospital.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a fund to support and expand maternal and infant health services at Newport Hospital.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8404: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CHILDREN'S MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUND ACT

Establishes a fund to support children’s community-based providers’ infrastructure changes necessary and related to the state’s Medicaid transformation initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated fund to finance infrastructure changes for children's Medicaid providers, directly increasing funding for essential public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a fund to support children's community-based providers and Medicaid infrastructure, directly increasing healthcare funding and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SR 3208: SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL 9, 2026, TO BE "RHODE ISLAND HOME VISITING DAY"

This Senate Resolution officially designates April 9, 2026, as "Rhode Island Home Visiting Day" to highlight the importance of home visiting services for families. The measure encourages state residents to acknowledge these programs, which connect parents with resources to promote child health and development. Additionally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the directors of the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates a day to highlight home visiting services, which improve child health access and family resources.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8383: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASING POOL ACT

Establishes a state-run prescription drug purchasing pool, available for participation by nonstate public employers, private employers, and health insurance carriers, to maximize the value of drug discounts available to participants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a state-run purchasing pool to maximize drug discounts, improving patient access and reducing costs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3180: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to veterinary care by authorizing telemedicine, aligning with healthcare improvement indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

in committee · Rhode Island · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 8405: 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, ensuring continued funding and financial stability for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 8475: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS

Expands the deinstitutionalization subsidy aid program in the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to include adoptive parent(s) or siblings(s).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands a deinstitutionalization subsidy program to include adoptive parents and siblings, thereby increasing funding and access to behavioral healthcare services.85% confidence

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