Overview

STATE BUDGET
Rhode Island operates on an annual budget cycle. The governor submits a proposed budget in January and the legislature adopts a budget in June. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 in the following year. The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal, and the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.
STATE LEGISLATURE
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly is comprised of a 38 seat Senate, and a 75 member House of Representatives. Both Senators and Representatives serve two-year terms. Each General Assembly session begins the first Tuesday in January and continues until sometime in June. Bills do not carry over from year to year.
KEY RESOURCES
- Rhode Island State General Assembly
- Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
- Rhode Island Governor
- Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- Rhode Island All-Payer Claims Database
2025 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
Rhode Island passed H5120/S0168, which establishes a three-year pilot program that prevents insurers from requiring prior authorization for services prescribed by in-network primary care providers in order to reduce administrative burdens to patient care, with exceptions for prescribed drugs.
Rhode Island Laws
23 R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17.22-2. Establishment of healthy Rhode Island strategic plan: Healthy Rhode Island Reform Act of 2008 – Rhode Island
Introduced: Status: Enacted
The director of health in consultation with the health care planning and accountability advisory council established pursuant to chapter 81 of title 23, shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a five (5) […]
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23 R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17.22-3. Healthy Rhode Island chronic care management program: Healthy Rhode Island Reform Act of 2008 – Rhode Island
Introduced: Status: Enacted
The “Healthy Rhode Island Chronic Care Management Program” may provide incentive payments to physicians based on the quality of their care.
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23 R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17.6-4. Technicians — Services authorized to render: Mobile Intensive Care Unit Program – Rhode Island
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Defines the scope of practice for advanced emergency medical technicians.
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23 R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-17.14-1 through 23-17.14-35: The Hospital Conversions Act – Rhode Island
Introduced: Status: Enacted
The “Hospital Conversions Act,” recognizing that the conversion of non-profit hospitals into for-profit entities and the integration of providers through networks and mergers are affecting competition, cost and quality of health, requires that a hospital […]
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23 R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-17.17-1 through 23-17.17-11: Health Care Quality Program – Rhode Island
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Estbalishes the Health Care Quality Program and the state’s all-payer claims database, requiring insurers, health care providers, health care facilities and governmental agencies to file reports, data, schedules, statistics or other information determined by the […]
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