Rhode Island Lawmakers File Bill to Create “RICare” Universal Healthcare System, Ban Premiums and Copays
- The Rhode Island State Senators introduced Senate Bill 2567, proposing “RICare,” a statewide universal health coverage program replacing the current multi-payer system with a publicly financed, publicly administered model.
- The bill, called the Universal and Unified Healthcare System Act, was introduced on Feb. 13 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, with sponsorship from nine Democratic state senators.
- RICare would provide coverage for all Rhode Island residents through a single payment system, seeking federal waivers to integrate Medicaid, Medicare, RIChild, and health insurance exchange funds into the program.
- The proposed benefits include primary care, behavioral health, prescription drugs, dental, vision, long-term care, and substance use disorder treatment, with no premiums, deductibles, copays, or coinsurance, but implementation depends on federal approvals and legislative funding.
A group of Rhode Island State Senators filed Senate Bill 2567 today, proposing a new statewide universal health coverage program called “RICare” that would replace the current multi-payer model with a publicly financed, publicly administered system. The measure, titled the Universal and Unified Healthcare System Act, was introduced Feb. 13 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The sponsors are State Senator Meghan Kallman (D), State Senator Melissa Murray (D), State Senator Pamela Lauria (D), State Senator Alana DiMario (D), State Senator Tiara Mack (D), State Senator Bridget Valverde (D), State Senator Linda Ujifusa (D), State Senator Samuel Zurier (D), and State Senator Jonathon Acosta (D).
Under the bill, all Rhode Island residents would be eligible for coverage through a single payment system. The proposal directs state officials to pursue federal waivers so that, to the greatest extent allowed, federal dollars tied to Medicaid, Medicare, RIChild and the health insurance exchange would flow into the new program.
The legislation also spells out a benefits framework that includes primary and preventive care, behavioral health, prescription drugs, dental, vision, long-term care and substance use disorder treatment. It bars premiums and cost-sharing, meaning no deductibles, copays or coinsurance.
RICare would not take effect immediately. The bill ties implementation to several prerequisites, including obtaining key federal waivers, enacting a financing law, approving an initial benefits package, and adopting the appropriations to pay for it.