This bill introduces the Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program (RICHIP), aiming to establish a universal, single-payer health care insurance system in Rhode Island. The program is designed to consolidate payments to various insurance carriers into a more efficient system modeled after Medicare-for-all, with the intent to provide comprehensive and affordable coverage to all residents. The bill outlines the structure of RICHIP, including the creation of a trust fund, the duties of the director, and the establishment of a board to manage the program. It specifies the benefits covered, which align with those provided by Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act. The bill also addresses provider participation, reimbursement rates, and the use of generic medications.

The bill includes several insertions into current law, such as provisions for employer and employee contributions to payroll taxes, the nullification of certain clauses if they violate the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the establishment of reimbursement rates for providers. It prohibits private insurers from selling duplicative coverage and provides for the re-education and job placement of displaced employees. The bill also proposes a revenue model for RICHIP, replacing regressive health insurance payments with progressive contributions based on anticipated savings from the single-payer system. It includes changes to the taxation of unearned income, the alignment of state laws with RICHIP, and the addition of new full-time employees to the senate and house fiscal offices. Furthermore, the bill amends the hospital licensing fee structure and introduces new definitions and regulations related to health insurance in Rhode Island. It also makes amendments to laws regarding paid sick leave, medical assistance, and Medicaid payment rates, and proposes changes to the reimbursement rates for nursing facilities and community health centers. The bill repeals certain sections of the General Laws and inserts new sections related to life estates, the Hospital Incentive Program, and estate recovery for Medicaid. It also establishes eligibility for medical assistance for families and modifies the managed care system, including the RIte Share health insurance premium assistance program. The bill amends the composition and duties of a commission related to the RIte Care and RIte Share programs and introduces changes to the delivery and financing of health care services under Medicaid. Finally, the bill authorizes the issuance of bonds for a capital development program and proposes amendments to the Rhode Island Medicaid Reform Act of 2008.

Statutes affected:
572: 23-17-38.1, 27-34.3-7, 27-66-24, 28-57-5, 36-12-2.1, 40-8.4-13, 42-12.3-14, 44-17-1, 44-51-3