Health

Rhode Island General Treasurer James J. Diossa has announced the forgiveness of $7 million in medical debt since a new program launched last fall. ‘I hope to wipe out even more debt soon,’ Diossa said Monday, March 3, 2025.

Article

Health

Health

Rhode Island Medical Debt Relief Program has Forgiven $7 Million Since October

March 5, 2025

·

Alexander Castro

Gregory Strong, a former business owner now living at the Bannister Center in Providence, told reporters about the impact federal Medicaid cuts could have on nursing facility residents like himself after a press conference held by U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner on Feb. 28, 2025. “We’re able to stand up, most of us. But even the people that are bedridden wanna fight,” Strong said.

Article

Health

Health

Rhode Island’s Nursing Home Residents Would Suffer if Congress Cuts Medicaid, Magaziner Says

March 3, 2025

·

Alexander Castro

Shamus Durac, co-chair of the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition.

Article

The Public’s Radio

The Public’s Radio

Rhode Island Healthcare Advocates Want to Preempt a Jump in Obamacare Premiums

Rhode Island healthcare advocates are urging state lawmakers to act quickly to keep health insurance affordable for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders

February 26, 2025

·

Darin Tripoli, right, owner of Sunshine Vape LLC, testifies in support of a bill that would partially reverse the state’s ban on flavored vape sales during a State House hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.

Article

Health

Health

Rhode Island Banned Flavored Vapes on Jan. 1. Some Lawmakers Want to Reverse Course

Familiar arguments over smoking cessation versus teenage tobacco use return to the State House

February 26, 2025

·

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation — U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo — advocated against indirect reimbursement caps on federally-funded scientific research in a letter released Tuesday.

Article

Politics

Politics

Rhode Island Congressional Delegation Wants Answers From NIH

February 26, 2025

·

Alexander Castro

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner tours Wood River Health Services in Hope Valley with Wood River CEO Alison L. Croke.

Article

Health

Health

Rhode Island Health Centers Raise Alarm Over Proposed Medicaid Cuts

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner vowed to push back on Republican plans during a visit to a South County health center

February 25, 2025

·

Shown here is Spravato, the branded version of the chemical known as esketamine. First approved in 2019 as an add-on treatment for depression, esketamine received expanded federal approval last month for standalone use.

Article

Health

Health

FDA Approves Ketamine Derivative as Potential ‘Wonder Drug'; Insurers Lag Behind

Brown researcher participated in clinical study evaluating nasal spray to treat adults with serious depression

February 24, 2025

·

Alexander Castro

There's still time to get a flu vaccine, state health officials say.

Article

The Public’s Radio

The Public’s Radio

As Flu Season Rages, Rhode Island Health Officials Urge Vaccine

More than 900 Rhode Islanders have been hospitalized with the flu this season and 10 people have died

February 20, 2025

·

Rhode Islanders can now check a new dashboard from the state’s health department to see if the water service lines to their homes or apartments contain lead.

Article

Health

Health

Rhode Island Health Department Launches Dashboard with Map of Lead Water Service Pipes

February 19, 2025

·

Alexander Castro

The Compassionate Care Act would allow terminally ill people to die peacefully with the help of medication.

Article

The Public’s Radio

The Public’s Radio

Should Rhode Island Legalize Physician-Assisted Death?

The “medical aid in dying” bill would allow terminally ill people to die peacefully with the help of medication

February 19, 2025

·