The proposed "Universal and Unified Healthcare System Act," or RICare Act, aims to establish a universal healthcare system in the state, ensuring access to primary and preventive care for all residents. The bill creates RICare as a comprehensive, publicly financed healthcare program that integrates existing federal and state programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, into a single payment system. It mandates the formation of the RICare board, an independent entity within the Department of Health, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the new system, improving health outcomes, and reducing healthcare expenditures.

The RICare board will consist of sixteen members with diverse expertise, including public health, healthcare financing, and healthcare administration. The board is tasked with setting payment rates, evaluating health services, and ensuring public participation in the healthcare reform process. Key provisions of the bill include the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, and the assurance of coverage for preexisting conditions without premiums or cost-sharing requirements. RICare will act as a secondary payer for services covered by other health plans if necessary waivers are not obtained.

The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a robust network of healthcare professionals and ensuring immediate enrollment in RICare at the point of service. It establishes the RICare fund as the primary financing source for healthcare coverage, ensuring that funds do not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and outlining their permissible uses. The legislation seeks to enhance healthcare access and streamline the administration of health services in the state, with the goal of improving overall health for residents and stabilizing healthcare spending through universal insurance coverage.