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- AP News Article:
– Title: Senate leaders in Rhode Island hope 25-bill package will make health care more affordable and easier to access.
– Content: Senate leaders in Rhode Island are pushing a 25-bill package aimed at making health care more affordable and easier to access. One piece of the package would let the state buy medical debt using federal COVID-19 dollars.
– URL: AP News
- Providence Business News Article:
– Title: R.I. Senate leaders unveil 9-bill health care package
– Content: The state’s Senate leaders have unveiled another legislative package aimed at improving health care access and affordability. The unveiling of the nine-bill package comes after Senate leaders introduced a 25-bill package,known as the Rhode Island HEALTH [Holistic enhancement and Access Legislation for total Health] Initiative,last year. Of those 25 bills, 11 […]
– URL: PBN
- Rhode Island general Assembly Bill:
– Title: Issuance of medical licenses (Sponsored by Sen. Peter A. Appollonio Jr., 2025-S 170)
- Content: To address licensing backlogs, this bill would allow the Rhode island Department of Health to review and act upon any medical licensing applications that have not been considered by the relevant licensing board within 60 days of submission.
– URL: RI Legislature
- Rhode Island Current Article:
- Title: asks federal bankruptcy judge to expedite sale of Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals
– Content: Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio pointed to health care issues on his own turf as indicative of the bigger challenges facing Rhode Islanders. He cited the importance of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence, which together with Roger Williams Medical center in Providence, is being sold by cash-strapped Medical Holdings. The sale of both safety net hospitals to prospective buyer The Centurion Foundation must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.
– Quote: “In my own community of north Providence, the situation surrounding Fatima Hospital’s future has exemplified many of the challenges we are working to address, and driven home the very real, very serious consequences for Rhode Island families,” Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio said in a statement. “With the bills in this package, and many other pieces of legislation introduced […]Here’s a cleaned-up and formatted version of the provided list:
Spread Pricing limits
Table of Contents
- Spread Pricing limits
- Financial Aid for Doctor Education
- Vaccine Delivery
- Additional information
- Links to Bills
- Rhode Island Lawmakers tackle Vaccine Administration and Licensing Red Tape
- Exclusive Interview: Rhode Island Lawmakers on Healthcare Bills
- Supporting Doctoral Education
- Vaccine Delivery Initiatives
- Pharmacists on the Frontlines of Vaccine Administration
- conclusion
- Description: Two bills aim to prohibit spread pricing by health insurers.
– Bill 1: By freshman Sen. Lori Urso, a Pawtucket Democrat.
– Bill 2: By Sen. Linda Ujifusa, a Portsmouth Democrat.
- Details: Spread pricing is a practice used by pharmacy benefit managers, which handle prescription drug benefits for health insurance companies. It involves charging payers more for a drug than its cost at the pharmacy, with the difference kept by the benefit managers. Ujifusa’s bill targets medicaid managed plans, while Urso’s bill focuses on commercial insurers.
Financial Aid for Doctor Education
- Description: A bill aims to use Medicaid funding to support graduate medical education programs.
- bill: By Sen. brian Thompson, a newly elected Woonsocket Democrat.
- Details: The bill would support programs in areas such as trauma care, primary care, and maternal and mental health.
Vaccine Delivery
- Description: A bill focuses on vaccine delivery.
– Bill: By Sen. Robert Britto, a Rumford Democrat.
Additional information
- Note: The text mentions another bill by Sen. Linda Ujifusa, but the details are repeated from the “Spread Pricing Limits” section.
Links to Bills
Rhode Island Lawmakers tackle Vaccine Administration and Licensing Red Tape
Providence, RI – In a bid to streamline healthcare processes and enhance public safety, two important bills have been introduced in the Rhode Island Senate. These legislative efforts aim to clarify the administration of vaccines by pharmacists and address licensing backlogs by permitting the Rhode Island Department of Health to step in when quorum issues arise.
Pharmacists on the Frontline of Vaccine Administration
A bill introduced by Sen.Peter A.Appollonio Jr., a freshman Warwick Democrat, seeks to clarify state law regarding pharmacist administration of vaccines. This move comes at a critical juncture as the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for accessible and efficient vaccination services.
“Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can play a pivotal role in expanding vaccine access,” said Sen. Appollonio Jr. “By clarifying the law, we can ensure that more individuals have the prospect to receive vital vaccinations.”
The bill aims to empower pharmacists to administer vaccines, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on doctors and nurses. This initiative is particularly timely given the ongoing vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 and other preventable diseases.
Cutting through Licensing Red Tape
Another bill introduced by Sen. Appollonio Jr. addresses the issue of medical license backlogs.The proposal permits the Rhode Island Department of Health to evaluate medical licensing applications if the relevant public body has been unable to meet quorum for more than 30 days. The Department of Health would have the authority to approve or deny the license.
“This measure is designed to ensure that healthcare professionals can begin practicing without undue delay,” explained Sen. Appollonio Jr.”By allowing the Department of Health to step in,we can expedite the licensing process and get qualified professionals into the field more quickly.”
The bills, once introduced, will go to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for initial hearings. This committee plays a crucial role in evaluating the impact and feasibility of such legislative changes.
Table: Key Points of the Bills
| Bill | Objective |
|———————————————–|—————————————————————————————————-|
| Pharmacist Vaccine Administration | Clarifies state law to allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, expanding access to vaccination services.|
| Medical License Backlog Resolution | Permits the Rhode Island Department of Health to evaluate and approve medical licenses during quorum issues. |
Engaging the community
The Rhode Island Current encourages readers to stay informed and engaged with these legislative developments. Subscribe to our morning headlines to receive the latest updates on healthcare and other critical issues affecting our state.
Subscribe to the Morning Headlines
Conclusion
These bills represent significant steps forward in enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency in Rhode Island. By empowering pharmacists to administer vaccines and addressing licensing backlogs, the state aims to better serve its residents during these challenging times. As the bills move through the legislative process, it will be essential for the community to stay informed and engaged.
For more information on these bills and other healthcare news,visit the rhode island Current.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Rhode Island current.
Exclusive Interview: Rhode Island Lawmakers on Healthcare Bills
Rhode Island Current: Thanks for joining us today, Senator Ruggerio. Let’s dive into the latest healthcare bills that you and your colleagues have introduced. First,would you explain the purpose of the bills focusing on spread pricing limits?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Of course. The primary goal of these bills is to address a practice known as spread pricing. This is where pharmacy benefit managers charge health insurers more for medications then what they actually cost, with the difference going to their own pockets. To curb this, we have introduced two bills—one targeting Medicaid managed plans and the other focusing on commercial insurers.
Spread Pricing bill 1
RI Current: Can you elaborate on Bill 1, introduced by Sen. Lori Urso?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Sen. Urso’s bill is aimed at prohibiting spread pricing in commercial insurance plans. By closing this loophole, we hope to reduce healthcare costs and ensure that patients receive more transparent and affordable prescription drug benefits.
Spread Pricing bill 2
RI Current: And then there’s Bill 2 by Sen. Linda Ujifusa which targets Medicaid managed plans. Could you explain its meaning?
Sen.Dominick J. Ruggerio: Absolutely. Sen. Ujifusa has focused her bill on Medicaid managed care plans.This is crucial because spread pricing has been impacting the state’s Medicaid program, leading to higher costs without any additional benefits to patients. Her bill aims to eliminate this viral cost-elevating practice and ensure that Medicaid funds are used effectively.
Supporting Doctoral Education
RI Current: Let’s talk about the bill aimed at using Medicaid funding for graduate medical education. What can you tell us about this initiative?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Introduced by Sen.Brian Thompson, this bill seeks to enhance our graduate medical education programs by integrating Medicaid funding. The purpose is to support areas like trauma care, primary care, and maternal and mental health, ensuring that our healthcare workforce is well-prepared to meet the growing needs of our community.
financial aid for Doctor Education
Vaccine Delivery Initiatives
RI Current: There’s also a bill focusing on vaccine delivery, what can we expect from this legislation?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Yes, Sen. Robert Britto has introduced a bill aimed at improving vaccine delivery systems. Given the ongoing importance of vaccines, especially with the pandemic, this bill looks to streamline processes and ensure that vaccination efforts reach more communities effectively.
Vaccine Delivery
Pharmacists on the Frontlines of Vaccine Administration
RI Current: Meanwhile, Sen. Peter A.Appollonio Jr. has introduced a bill clarifying the role of pharmacists in vaccine administration. What motivated this initiative?
Sen. Dominick J.Ruggerio: Sen. Appollonio’s initiative comes at a critical time. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare providers who can significantly expand vaccine access. His bill aims to clarify state laws, allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines and thus alleviate pressure from doctors and nurses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cutting through licensing Red Tape
RI Current: Another bill by Sen. Appollonio addresses licensing backlogs. Can you explain how this bill proposes resolving the issue?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Certainly. This bill allows the Rhode Island Department of Health to step in and evaluate medical licensing applications when quorum issues cause delays.This approach is designed to expedite the licensing process, ensuring that qualified healthcare professionals can begin practicing without unnecessary delays.
conclusion
RI Current: These bills seem to be complete, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency in various ways.what do you hope to achieve with this legislative package?
Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio: Our primary goal is to enhance healthcare services for all Rhode Islanders. By addressing spread pricing, supporting medical education, streamlining vaccine delivery, and resolving licensing backlogs, we aim to ensure that our healthcare system is both effective and efficient. We believe these bills will make a significant impact on the quality of healthcare we provide and help us navigate through current challenges more effectively.
RI Current: Thank you, Senator Ruggerio, for your detailed insights.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Rhode Island Current.
