The "Universal and Unified Healthcare System Act," also known as the RICare Act, aims to establish a universal and unified healthcare system in the state, ensuring access to primary and preventive care for all residents. The legislation recognizes healthcare as a fundamental human right and promotes a single-payer system designed to stabilize healthcare spending and improve health outcomes.

Key provisions of the bill include the creation of the RICare board, which will oversee the implementation of the system and consist of sixteen members with diverse expertise in public health, healthcare financing, and healthcare administration. The board will be responsible for setting payment rates, conducting feasibility studies, and ensuring that the healthcare system is patient-centered and equitable.

The RICare fund is established as the primary financing source for healthcare coverage, with provisions for funding from various sources, including federal funds, grants, and appropriations from the general fund. The act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, and ensures coverage for preexisting conditions. RICare will cover a comprehensive range of medically necessary benefits without imposing premiums or cost-sharing requirements, and it will serve as a secondary payer for individuals with other health coverage.

The bill emphasizes the importance of public input on the RICare benefit package and mandates that funds in the RICare fund do not lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The director of the department of health will coordinate healthcare system reform efforts and ensure that the system operates in a manner that is equitable, patient-centered, and evidence-based. Overall, the RICare Act seeks to create a transparent, efficient, and accountable healthcare system that prioritizes the health and well-being of all residents.