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5/15/2026
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Legislators join healthcare providers to call for critical investments in Rhode Island’s healthcare system
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 STATE HOUSE — Reps. Mia A. Ackerman, Susan R. Donovan and Thomas E. Noret and Sens. Jacob E. Bissaillon and Robert Britto joined healthcare workers, nurses and doctors at the State House Thursday to urge the General Assembly to take no step back on healthcare this session. Financial investments made in the state’s FY 2026 budget helped to stabilize the system and protect Rhode Islanders’ access to care, which they urged to continue. Legislators also called for action on four targeted healthcare bills to reduce unnecessary administrative barriers that increase costs and delay care.
The Prohibition of Unilateral Provider Contract Changes Act (2026-H 7862, 2026-S 3089), sponsored by Representative Ackerman and Senator Britto, would prevent insurers from changing contract terms midstream.
“I think we can all agree that when a patient needs care, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether their coverage will look the same as it did the day before,” said Representative Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln). “But that’s exactly what happens when insurers change contracts without notice or agreement. This bill would end this shamefully widespread practice by establishing clear guardrails that any contract requires mutual agreement to change, so patients are protected and care decisions aren’t undermined by shifting rules. Healthcare works best for patients when the rules are clear and consistent for everyone. This bill helps ensure that stability.”
Said Senator Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence), “I am extremely proud to be sponsoring this legislation alongside Representative Ackerman in the House. It is wrong for Rhode Islanders to suddenly be left without coverage and for providers to be left holding the bag when insurance companies change the rules without advance notice. This legislation is about accountability and sustainability, and it represents an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to addressing Rhode Island’s healthcare crisis.”
The Hospital Access & Uncompensated Care Protection Act (2026-H 7875, 2026-S 3091), sponsored by Representative Ackerman and Senator Bissaillon, recognizes the growing impact of uncompensated care costs.
“It’s an honor to be here on behalf of the Rhode Island Senate and to work with the Hospital Association of Rhode Island to champion increased investment in our hospital system again this year,” said Senator Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence). “When individuals don’t have health insurance or have gaps in their health insurance and they go to the hospital, their condition has usually become so acute that they can no longer live with it. And our hospitals provide the care and treatment these patients need, no matter what, to the tune of more than $84 million annually of uncompensated care. We in the legislature need to stand up for our hospital providers who are caring for Rhode Islanders by ensuring they receive the support they need to keep providing quality care, even as the number of uninsured patients rises due to federal cuts.”
The Timely Post-Acute Care Access Act (2026-H 8367, 2026-S 3061), sponsored by Representative Donovan and Sen. Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), would require insurers cover post-acute care without prior authorization so that patients can receive the care they need in a timely manner, rather than waiting in their hospital bed for their authorization to come through. The bill is also part of the Senate’s 17-bill package of healthcare legislation.
“Prior authorization requirements for post-acute care create unnecessary delays that keep patients in hospitals longer than medically necessary and place added stress on patients, families and frontline healthcare staff,” said Representative Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth). “This bill addresses this by requiring insurers to cover at least seven days of post-acute care without prior authorization. When patients move smoothly to the next stage of care, recoveries improve, families face less uncertainty and hospitals are better able to care for the next patient that comes through the door. And isn’t that what we all want?”
The Equitable Funding for Healthcare Debt Act (2026-H 8267, 2026-S 3088), sponsored by Representative Noret and Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), would reduce medical debt and protect access to care by adopting guidance already used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the federal level.
“For all Rhode Islanders, especially those managing chronic conditions or enrolled in high-deductible plans, out of pocket costs are becoming harder and harder to afford,” said Representative Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick). “Too often, patients are caught between rising medical bills and the care that they need, creating financial stress and uncertainty at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. This bill would require insurers who design plans with large cost-sharing obligations to share responsibility when large patient balances go unpaid. Using established federal standards, it creates a clear and consistent framework for providers and insurers alike.”
Financial pressures on hospitals in Rhode Island are reaching a critical point. Over 70% of the state’s hospitals operated with negative margins in 2025, and 10 of the state’s 13 private acute hospitals saw declines in their operating margins last year. Providers warn that without sustained investment from the state, the effects will be felt directly by Rhode Islanders.
“Our hospitals are treating more complex patients, absorbing rising labor and supply costs and operating under reimbursement rates that lag neighboring states – all while federal policy changes are making a challenging environment worse,” said Michael Sroczysnki, president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. “As uncompensated care rises, the effects are felt throughout the system – through reduced bed capacity, workforce challenges and delays in care. This is not the health care system that Rhode Islanders want, nor the system they deserve, and it won’t correct itself without deliberate action.”
Hospitals are the backbone of the healthcare system, caring for all Rhode Islanders 24/7, 365 days a year, regardless of their ability to pay. Every year, hospitals in Rhode Island handle more than 430,000 emergency department visits, welcome over 10,000 babies and employ over 35,000 people.
“We are deeply grateful to our hospitals, health systems and the dedicated professionals who power them for the essential care they provide to our communities every day. Their work is demanding, vital and too often underrecognized,” said Sroczynski. “We appreciate the continued partnership of the General Assembly and the governor’s office and look forward to working together to preserve access to care, strengthen the healthcare system and support the needs of Rhode Islanders.”
IN PHOTO: Rep. Thomas E. Noret (back row, first from left), Sen. Robert Britto (back from, first from right), Rep. Susan R. Donovan (front row, first from left) and Rep. Mia A. Ackerman (front row, second from left) after the event with members of the Rhode Island Hospital Association.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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