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Proposals focus on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers,
and strengthening the state’s health workforce
STATE HOUSE – Continuing the Senate’s efforts to stabilize and strengthen Rhode Island’s health care system, Senate President Valarie J. Lawson and Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray on Thursday unveiled a 17-bill package of legislation centered on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers, and strengthening the state’s health workforce.
“For the well-being of our communities, and the future of our state, it is imperative that we do everything in our power to ensure the stability and sustainability of our health system, and to make essential care both accessible and affordable for every Rhode Islander. The Senate has been a leader in addressing Rhode Island’s health care crisis, and as Senate President, I am extremely proud of that. Together, we will continue to work with purpose and urgency to meet the needs of patients and providers across our state,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).
“As Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, I want to express my deep appreciation to everyone who is working so hard to take on Rhode Island’s health care challenges. I am extremely grateful that our leadership team continues to make this vital policy area a true priority. While we know that solving the crisis cannot be accomplished through any single piece of legislation, or any one collection of bills, those being highlighted today build on our past progress and help address the most pressing needs of this moment. These proposals will support Rhode Islanders in crisis, protect patients and providers, and strengthen the health workforce. Achieving our goals will be a long-haul effort, and our chamber remains truly committed to seeing it through,” said Chairwoman Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield).
This marks the third year that Senate leadership has brought forward a legislative package focused on health care accessibility and affordability. The bills being highlighted in 2026 include:
SUPPORTING RHODE ISLANDERS IN CRISIS
Codify 988, BH Link: This legislation (2026-S 3058, Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chair Melissa Murray) would amend statute to codify the 988 and BH Link programs in state law, while additionally requiring the state to fully fund both programs in the event the current federal funding lapses. 988 currently runs as a 24/7 crisis helpline that was established under the federal National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2022. BH Link operates the 988 line as well as a walk-in center for those in crisis needing in-person support. Over 90% of 988 calls are resolved through phone support alone, drastically reducing the need for emergency department visits.
Codify Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) in state law and expand coverage: This legislation (2026-S 3066, Senate President Valarie Lawson) would amend statute to codify the MRSS program in state law, making it a permanent part of Rhode Island’s mental health infrastructure. These mobile services provide trained behavioral health clinicians in the community, in response to behavioral health crisis calls. MRSS clinicians are better able than local emergency medical services to de-escalate crises and provide the crisis counseling and follow-up needed to keep youth out of emergency rooms, resulting in better patient outcomes for youth in crisis and reducing the strain on overburdened emergency departments. Between October 2024 and October 2025, providers fielded 849 MRSS cases, and 80% of cases were successfully stabilized in the community and connected to ongoing behavioral health care. The legislation would provide for the program’s coverage by Medicaid and appropriate $900,000 in Fiscal Year 2027, increasing to $1 million in Fiscal Year 2028, to provide coverage for services to the uninsured and underinsured.
Set commercial insurance reimbursement rate floor for MRSS: This legislation (2026-S 3065, Senator Alana DiMario) would build on a 2025 law, also sponsored by Senator DiMario, that required commercial insurers to cover MRSS services. It would address the current low reimbursement rates for these services by adding a reimbursement rate floor for insurers to pay MRSS providers.
Create artificial intelligence safety guidelines related to suicidal ideation and mental health treatment: The first bill (2026-S 2195, Senator Lori Urso) would regulate AI companion models and chatbots to prohibit the operation of any companions unless the provider has a protocol for addressing possible suicidal ideation, self-harm, other physical harm, or financial harm. It also provides requirements for warning notifications, and for enforcement by the Attorney General. The second bill (2026-S 2197, Senator Lori Urso) would prohibit the use of AI companion models to assist in providing supplementary support in therapy or psychotherapy services where the client’s therapeutic session is recorded or transcribed unless the patient or the patient’s parent, guardian or other legally authorized representative is informed and consents to the use. Individuals and corporations would be prohibited from providing therapy or psychotherapy services, including through the use of internet-based artificial intelligence, to anyone unless they are a licensed professional.
Mr. Steven Hoard spoke at the news conference at which the bills were announced. He shared a deeply personal story about a time when his son was contemplating suicide.
“When my son was in crisis and needed help, 988 brought a positive resolution to a situation that could have turned tragic for my family, and they did so with professionalism, empathy and compassion,” said Mr. Hoard. “Had 911 had been the only option, things would have ended very differently, potentially with arrest, family separation, or worse. Ensuring that 988 has the funding it needs to maintain long-term stability is so critically important for people in crisis, which could be any one of us.”
PROTECTING PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS
Establish new oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs: The first bill (2026-S 3059, Senator Robert Britto) would amend statute to set accountability and transparency requirements for PBMs and establish new rules for their interactions with pharmacies. The second bill (2026-S 3060, Senator Peter Appollonio) would establish a process for PBMs to obtain individual certificates of authority from the Department of Business Regulation in order to operate in Rhode Island. The third bill (2026-S 2563, Senator Linda Ujifusa), the Prescription Drug Savings and Transparency Act of 2026, would direct the Auditor General to conduct a study of the performance and cost-effectiveness of the state’s current prescription drug management for the Medicaid Program, including the utilization of PBMs by Medicaid managed care organizations, with a report of findings and recommendations issued to the General Assembly no later than March 31, 2027.
Address prior authorization requirements for post-acute care and the Behaviorally Complex Care Program: The first bill (2026-S 3061, Senator Brian Thompson) would require that beginning Jan. 1, 2027, insurers cover a minimum of seven days of post-acute care without a prior authorization requirement. The second proposal (2026-S 3056, Senator Melissa Murray) would direct the Executive Office of Health & Human Services to facilitate nursing homes and other long-term care facilities receiving an enhanced Medicaid per-diem rate for complex behavioral health patients.
Update statutes to ensure childhood and adult vaccination schedules are set by the RI Department of Health: This legislation (2026-S 2379, Senator Linda Ujifusa) would update the law to emphasize that the vaccination schedule set by RIDOH can be followed as determined by the Health Director as necessary to protect public health, and would require all insurers and the state’s Medicaid program to cover all immunizations provided under RIDOH’s guidelines, without any cost sharing, starting on Jan. 1, 2027. This bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services on Feb. 26, 2026.
Allow medical professionals to express sympathy to patients and families without risk of legal reprisal: This legislation (2026-S 2054, Senator Pamela Lauria), which was also passed by the Senate in 2024 and 2025, provides that any statement of apology or concern by a health care provider to a patient, a patient’s relative, or representative is inadmissible as evidence of liability or admission of fault by the health care provider in any legal or arbitration action against a health care provider or facility. Rhode Island would join 39 other states with similar provisions.
Create study commission on medical malpractice: This legislation (2026-S 3063, Senator Mark McKenney) would create a 13-member special legislative commission to study the impact of medical malpractice claims on health care providers and costs, with a report of its findings to be issued no later than Oct. 1, 2027.
Mariah Stump, MD, MPH, President-elect Rhode Island Medical Society, said, “Primary care is the foundation of a strong healthcare system, yet physicians across Rhode Island are struggling with workforce shortages, administrative burdens, and growing liability pressures. As a primary care physician, I see how these challenges affect patients’ ability to access care. The Senate’s healthcare package takes important steps to strengthen the physician workforce, reduce unnecessary barriers like prior authorization, address aspects of the medical liability system, and establish a Primary Care Commission to help guide long-term solutions for our state.”
STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE
Invest in loan repayment and scholarship programs for primary care providers: The first bill (2026-S 3062, Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo) would amend the current Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to create a loan repayment program for primary care providers. Eligible physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners could receive two years of loan repayment assistance. The second bill (2026 S-2101, Senator Pamela Lauria) would establish a scholarship program for students willing to commit to work as a primary care provider in Rhode Island. Eligible applicants would need to be studying and enrolled in a medical school, nursing school, or a physician assistant program.
Secure initial funding for the creation of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island: This proposal (2026-S 3064, Senator V. Susan Sosnowski) would commit initial resources needed for the creation of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island, as recommended earlier this year by a special legislative commission.
Establish a primary care commission to support workforce retention and explore graduate medical education, or GME, programs: This legislation (2026-S 3057, Senator Pamela Lauria) seeks to fulfill another of the recommendations made in the final report of the special legislative commission charged with studying the creation of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.
“Creating a medical school at URI is the natural next step in building a comprehensive, public health education ecosystem in Rhode Island,” said Eugenio Fernandez, Jr., PharmD, MBA, MPH. “URI already has the foundation in place, with nationally recognized programs in pharmacy, nursing, and health sciences, along with research initiatives focused on improving health outcomes across the state. A medical school would complement these existing interdisciplinary health programs. Combined with strengthening loan repayment programs, establishing a medical school at URI will help Rhode Island build the health care workforce it needs.”
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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