[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6621424,"mediaKeyId","2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739","parentId",2802536,"title","Senate Health and Human Services committee holds six bills after brief hearings and testimony","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",70000,"endMs",305000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739&start=70&end=305","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739/thumbnail_70000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6621424/Rhode-Island/Senate-Health-and-Human-Services-committee-holds-six-bills-after-brief-hearings-and-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621424-34f0e37f009a5c96a90c6a5a0231de43/orig.mp4?Expires=1775852733&Signature=Ab1BmUxCVGuK~UxjJC2NiQfPtbbGaKyBJ4-wsq6-R7ISk154QuXrQfF5nlfs940BNBIbPoW5h6FQKzjB06e2IT3Vaum8Bk6EJgOl6f6sUoZeUXDas-rkhf4fiFF2roQcnhXFC1b5BuEdUBlZA5RkquNhyx~E2RGbG~AN~Iu4VcrIViILWr-d80HyFjQAwaez9484BPGpqc6H3Fx4TlBNLiwB951lPX4fWjU9f2g6YaKsubaaTJ2FxpjRkxrA0yJknwSaeOFWJfR7q5j0coQMGS3iksn-sXcW4Zx~LGY44QRXfd5~MxDRsQF4AxwxvWoA3Zr7lxyyRHpVd05RTgGZ~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Health and Human Services Committee took up a series of bills on March 27 and voted to hold each for further consideration. The items heard and their immediate outcomes are summarized below.

Senate Bill 608 (businesses and professions — dentists and dental hygienists): The bill, offered at the Department of Health’s request, standardizes successor appointment language across professional boards and provides that a quorum be a majority of appointed members, and allows expired members to continue until a successor is appointed. Neil Heitinen of RIDOH (appearing for the department) explained the proposal. Vice Chair Laurier moved to hold; Senator Jufusah seconded. The committee voice-voted the motion and SB 608 was held.

Senate Bill 606 (public historical vital records): Introduced at the secretary of state's request and described by a department witness as prohibiting amendments to historical vital records transferred to state archives (birth and marriage records after 100 years; death records after 50 years). Witnesses said states commonly respond to requests for amended historical records with a letter explaining the state does not amend archived records. Senator Loris moved to hold and Senator Japusa seconded; the committee held SB 606.

Senate Bill 195 (funeral services / natural organic reduction): The bill would allow disposition facilities to offer natural organic reduction (conversion of human remains to soil) as an alternative to cremation. The sponsor described environmental motivations for the option. The Department of Health provided written commentary noting licensing and staffing implications. The committee moved to hold SB 195 and recorded the motion carried by voice vote.

Senate Bill 698 (primary care training sites): This bill makes a technical update to last year’s primary care training-site legislation to broaden eligible training-site designations (for example, NCQA case-management accreditation or a patient-centered medical home designation). Supporters said the change allows more high-quality practices to qualify as training sites; the first funding application wave was noted as opening the following Monday. The committee voted to hold SB 698.

For each of the above bills, the committee recorded motions to hold and voice votes; no roll-call tallies were provided in the transcript. Committee officers signaled that staff and sponsors would continue to refine licensing, funding and technical details with state agencies as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: 3-27-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 27 meeting the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard several bills on board governance language, archival vital records, disposition alternatives, and primary care training sites; each bill was held for further consideration after sponsor explanation or brief testimony.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621430,"Hospitals press for temporary lift of commercial rate caps; insurers and business groups warn of higher premiums",1991,1248000,3239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739&start=1248&end=3239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739/thumbnail_1248000.jpg","/articles/6621430/Rhode-Island/Hospitals-press-for-temporary-lift-of-commercial-rate-caps-insurers-and-business-groups-warn-of-higher-premiums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621430-4e27c2289f88ab56b16108f1f95de1e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775852733&Signature=KzPw7yrW5BIRUiUhj-Nyah0ghOLWPhAgiLI7jyygBlqRToz4lbvSz5KeHa34m0X3U33Ncmgp1hnNaCPYKasE3XnowFrE7pTPgF6tIWhKNC-LZE-~sSdHdqJVD8s-qVpl~BK7oiesYrENzKzUBUqXcwtSSi1v8pik8-si9M2TqBXXlHh~-zO3MCOpVxIRMLjdwUXGllmre6dNKyt95HXK962NcOFpQZ3Corn7RD5JJc3HqDoutIsoJKNMKGuCty01zC7Nu8kJEXI5LW0te7Ycn8OeR9MFRas72Esd4Qcae7AdJSMSNQkmFm8jC-9lYwZA85Ytbiq8jUX46xO~ELS6-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 681, introduced as an amendment to the Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act of 2004, would temporarily raise the caps on rates hospitals may negotiate with commercial insurers. Under the proposal discussed in committee, the cap would increase by two percentage points for three years (to CPI plus 3% for hospital contracts and CPI plus 3.5% for population-based contracts), with sponsors saying the change would help hospitals recruit staff, support patient services and preserve access to care.

Sponsor testimony framed the proposal as a targeted, time-limited response to what supporters described as a critical fiscal stress on Rhode Island hospitals. The sponsor said Rhode Island caps have left hospitals at a competitive disadvantage compared with neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut, where commercial rates are higher.

Hospital representatives and leaders from South County Health testified in support. Andrew Sharp, director of surgical services at South County Hospital, described the regional competitive disadvantage for acquiring new clinical technologies and recruiting specialists: “If we don't act, we'll continue to fall behind the rest of the region… not just in attracting the top tier talent of physicians, mid levels, nurses, all across the board, but also in bringing the technology that that talent comes to expect,” he said. Anita Galmore, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for South County Health, described workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and recruitment challenges as reasons to support the legislation.

Hospital witnesses and allied groups estimated the bill would generate additional revenue to support workforce and services; one witness estimated roughly $30 million per year in incremental revenue from the proposed adjustment, a figure referenced during testimony.

Opponents included Blue Cross and business and labor representatives. Sean Donahue of Blue Cross said the increase would be unaffordable for families, employers and municipalities, and presented actuarial estimates that the commercial market impact could be substantial: “Our actuarial estimates to the impact to Blue Cross commercial subscribers only would be a hundred and $28,000,000 over the 3 years envisioned in this bill and $215,000,000 of the entire commercial market,” he said. Blue Cross argued that commercial payments in Rhode Island already substantially exceed Medicare and that raising the cap would raise premiums and wage-pressure concerns for employers.

Labor and business witnesses also opposed the measure. Patrick Crowley of AFL-CIO said union members were concerned the change would shift costs onto workers and employers and reduce take-home pay. Jason Martesian of the Rhode Island Business Coalition said small employers already face rising premiums and said this bill risks increasing premiums further.

The committee heard detailed back-and-forth on cost estimates and fiscal impact; Senator Valverde and others asked for clearer fiscal notes. Several witnesses asked the committee for an Office of Management and Budget fiscal analysis to reconcile competing actuarial estimates. After extensive testimony and questions, Vice Chair Laurier moved to hold the bill and Senator Velverde (recorded as second) seconded; the motion carried by voice vote and SB 681 was held.","Senate Bill 681 would raise temporary commercial rate caps for hospitals; hospital leaders and South County Health urged support, while Blue Cross, business groups and unions expressed concerns about affordability and distributional effects. The committee voted to hold the bill.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621434,"Senate committee hears support for early-childhood mental health hub pilot; bill held for further consideration",824,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739&start=424&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802536-f7f8000d104106cf2f2136ccbaa3b739/thumbnail_424000.jpg","/articles/6621434/Rhode-Island/Senate-committee-hears-support-for-early-childhood-mental-health-hub-pilot-bill-held-for-further-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621434-1a47d2063195be830c35752fa17e565b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775852733&Signature=DB9QpQWHriFnaftxKmWjzVZbsfxyAnDKQ~mJcXwj8tcOADc-zNgBwEz~E7IU84jIx8qbzm1PqGtOyp0ZcJ2SqZ64kN-K88Zdksuk4LHGW0X41SnRyhbwo6sCHD-IcboWLtV-XYoUFmVw6BJr3f74e3Vwt22QeG-qZi6vmaH1kv3PVszVQyLBAmvIyr6jwwG5TGNYcTFWNXM~oVoUjHviTtkiotC9Qw6jVy5afRDO2PPoCNt-hJUlywsb0BEWFqJiXu4zUXdZ5ZrROQVQ7lIWJSYujrBsq0uUt0HR~sGdwyTYfhymyS37n5rtUhA5giLLqLpsO7RYH7tjGlrD2hS2sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 344, sponsored by Senator DeMario, would require the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to develop a budget and seek funding to establish an early childhood mental health hub to improve access to mental-health screening and evidence-based early interventions for children under 6 and their families.

Supporters told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that the measure is intended to build workforce capacity rather than immediately create a state-funded program. Jocelyn Antonio of the Hassenfeld Institute at Brown — testifying in her personal capacity — said the bill would require EOHHS to seek funding for a three-year pilot to train and support clinicians in infant- and early-childhood-specific therapies. “This legislation would require the Rhode Island EOHHS to establish an early childhood mental health hub, a centralized resource aimed to improving access to qualified mental health professionals for young children and their families,” Antonio said.

The bill follows recommendations from the Rhode Island Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Task Force Plan (2023). Senator DeMario described SB 344 as the outgrowth of a multiyear effort and said earlier legislation directed EOHHS to develop a roadmap; this version asks EOHHS to seek funding (which may include federal grants or philanthropic sources) rather than placing a new line in the state budget.

Multiple witnesses from advocacy and research groups emphasized early intervention as cost-effective and important to child development. Mikaela Carroll of Rhode Island Kids Count and the Right from the Start campaign said Rhode Island lacks the clinical capacity to deliver dyadic, parent-child therapies commonly recommended by other states and that the bill would build clinician capacity. An intern at the Economic Progress Institute, Megan Gilbert, described frontline experience working with families and urged support for early screening and intervention; she cited task force findings and asserted that early interventions improve long-term outcomes.

Committee discussion was limited. After testimony, the committee took a voice vote on a motion to hold the bill for further consideration; Vice Chair Laurier moved to hold and Senator Jufusah seconded. The clerk recorded the motion as carried and SB 344 was held.

The bill does not appropriate state funds in its current form; sponsor and witnesses repeatedly noted it directs EOHHS to seek funding and develop a budget for a pilot rather than obligating a state appropriation. Supporters pointed to prior federal and philanthropic grant opportunities and to a prior Senate measure that included funding and training language but did not secure appropriation.

Supporters and the sponsor framed the proposal as workforce-first: train clinicians in infant- and early-childhood-specific screening and dyadic therapies and embed them in existing settings such as child-care centers and pediatric practices. The committee did not vote on final passage.","Lawmakers and advocates urged the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to advance Senate Bill 344, which would direct EOHHS to develop a budget and seek funding for a three-year pilot to train and place infant and early childhood mental health professionals; the committee voted to hold the bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Health and Human Services committee holds six bills after brief hearings and testimony

Hospitals press for temporary lift of commercial rate caps; insurers and business groups warn of higher premiums

Senate committee hears support for early-childhood mental health hub pilot; bill held for further consideration