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6/9/2026
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Assembly approves Ujifusa and Donovan’s legislation to safeguard vaccine access amid federal uncertainty
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa and House Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Susan Donovan to protect coverage for routine childhood and adult vaccines under Rhode Island law.
This bill (2026-S 2379A, 2026-H 7625A), which now goes to the governor, gives Rhode Island a clear statutory framework to ensure vaccines remain accessible, affordable and grounded in public health science. It requires state-regulated health insurers in Rhode Island to cover vaccines recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) without cost-sharing barriers.
The legislation is part of the Senate’s 17-bill package of healthcare legislation centered on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers and strengthening the state’s health workforce.
“We don’t have to speculate about the risks of not protecting access to vaccinations,” said Senator Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol). “We can already see the consequences, with measles outbreaks emerging across the country as anti-vaccine messages have gained traction. Rhode Island is acting now to make sure cost and uncertainty never stand in the way of basic public health.”
Said Representative Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), “Vaccination has been one of the great success stories of public health, protecting not only the vaccinated but also entire communities. This bill ensures that here in Rhode Island, coverage for vaccines is protected and that our vaccine guidelines continue to be based on sound medical science.”
Last year, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., replaced all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the independent panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations. The committee was subsequently reconstituted with new appointees, including individuals who have previously been skeptical of the efficacy of vaccines and federal pandemic response.
This legislation ensures Rhode Island retains the authority to act promptly and responsibly to protect public health. It follows the lead of other states, including Massachusetts, and ensures that any vaccine recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health is covered without cost-sharing for every Rhode Islander, whether they have private insurance, Medicaid or state employee coverage.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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