Rhode Island Senate Package Aims to Promote Healthcare Affordability and Access

The Rhode Island Senate unveiled Wednesday a package of nine bills meant to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability in the state.

The effort marks the second consecutive year that the Senate has emphasized the need to address challenges in local healthcare, and lawmakers say it builds on actions including a study examining whether to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.

In a statement, Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Woonsocket), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, said the new package would remove burdensome administrative requirements that pose barriers to patient care, protect patients from medical debt, and lower costs while improving access.

A bill sponsored by Murray as part of the nine pieces of legislation would eliminate the ability of insurance companies to demand prior authorization requirements for primary care providers.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.