Restricts audits of pharmacists conducted by insurers and their intermediaries, limiting audits to 1 per year unless fraud or misrepresentation is reasonably suspected. The Rhode Island attorney would have the authority to impose sanctions for violations.
Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.
Requires that any insurance contract issued, amended or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, that provides hospital, medical or surgical coverage shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental health or substance use disorders.
Creates the occupational therapy licensure compact that would allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice in all states that join the compact.
Relocates the chapter relating to licensing of massage therapists from the health and safety title to the businesses and professions title with multiple amendments.
Establishes a universal, comprehensive, affordable single-payer health care insurance program and helps control health care costs, which would be referred to as, "the Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program" (RICHIP).
Directs the department of transportation to effectuate a complete and total restoration, reconstruction and refurbishing of the Stone Bridge abutment in Portsmouth.
Establishes criteria for the criminal offense of sexual assault when the victim is in the custody of a peace officer and also provides that a person convicted of custodial sexual assault would face imprisonment for not more than three (3) years.
Bans the possession, sale, and transfer of assault weapons. Possession of assault weapons owned on the effective date of this act to be "grandfathered". Violations are punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
Requires each off-campus location of a hospital and each subpart of an organization health care provider to have a unique identification number so that the costs associated with those facilities are transparent and accountable.