Bill Sponsors
Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, Murray, and Raptakis
Committee
Senate Health & Human Services
Summary
Select
This legislation mandates that all individual and group health insurance plans in Rhode Island must provide coverage for buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Starting January 1, 2027, insurers are required to cover at least one type of this medication for every method of administration (such as tablets or films). Furthermore, insurance companies are prohibited from charging copayments or requiring deductibles for this specific medication, with an exception for plans linked to federally qualified health savings accounts.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Eliminates financial barriers (copays and deductibles) for life-saving addiction treatment, ensuring that effective healthcare is accessible regardless of a patient's economic status.
- Promotes a harm reduction approach to the opioid crisis by prioritizing medical treatment and recovery over punishment or neglect.
- Addresses systemic healthcare inequities by mandating coverage for all forms of administration, ensuring patients receive the specific type of medication that works best for their physiology.
Cons for Progressives
- The mandate does not go into full effect until January 1, 2027, leaving a significant gap of time where individuals may still struggle to afford necessary medication.
- Includes a carve-out for Health Savings Account (HSA) plans, which may result in continued costs for individuals enrolled in high-deductible plans often utilized to lower premiums.
- Relies on the private insurance market structure rather than establishing a universal, state-funded guarantee of treatment access for all residents, including the uninsured.
Pros for Conservatives
- May help reduce the societal costs associated with untreated addiction, such as strain on emergency services, law enforcement, and the judicial system.
- Supports workforce participation by helping individuals recover from addiction and return to productive employment, thereby reducing dependency on other welfare programs.
- Respects federal tax law by including an exception for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), ensuring state law does not conflict with federal tax-advantaged savings vehicles.
Cons for Conservatives
- Represents government interference in the free market by dictating specific coverage terms and price controls to private businesses (insurance companies).
- Will likely result in increased insurance premiums for all policyholders as costs for the mandated "free" coverage are shifted to the broader risk pool.
- Removes the ability of insurance carriers to design flexible plans and negotiate cost-sharing structures, thereby limiting consumer choice in the marketplace.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Individuals with opioid use disorder
- Health insurance companies
- Medical providers prescribing buprenorphine
- Pharmacies
- Employers providing health insurance
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Health and Human Services
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-18-96. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-19-88. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-20-84. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-41-101. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.
27-18-96. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-19-88. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-20-84. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27-41-101. Buprenorphine.
Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.